- Set office hours or working hours to stay focused on tasks.
- Identify types of clients that respect your boundaries.
- Delegate household chores to family members or friends.
- Set expectations with clients and create an agreement.
- Utilize technology like project management software, calendar apps, email templates, and document-sharing platforms for organization and collaboration.
You’re a freelancer, but you also have responsibilities outside of work. With the wealth of opportunities that freelancing offers, it can sometimes be hard to manage your time and focus on the task. Women, in particular, face unique challenges when balancing their professional commitments with their personal lives. Having clear boundaries can help them achieve success and satisfaction in both areas. Here are five ways that all women freelancers can have better boundaries.
1. Set Office Hours or Working Hours
One way to set boundaries is by setting specific office hours or working hours each week, enabling you to focus on your tasks during those times and give yourself breaks throughout the day. These should be realistic for your schedule, as overworking yourself can lead to burnout. Additionally, it’s essential to be realistic with the amount of time you have in a day and plan out your working hours accordingly.
2. Identify Types of Clients
It is also helpful to identify types of clients who are more likely to respect your boundaries than others. If a client is continually pushing for more work or disregarding your set office hours, then consider whether this is someone you want to continue working with or if you need to look for other opportunities elsewhere. This will help ensure that you are not being taken advantage of and that all parties involved get what they need from the relationship.
You may also have clients who are more understanding and accommodating of your boundaries. This is a great benefit when it comes to finding new ways to grow the relationship, as you can feel safe and secure knowing that each party’s needs are being considered. It is essential to nurture these relationships and foster a sense of mutual respect between yourself and your clients.
3. Delegate Your Household Chores
If you are a woman working from home, delegating your household chores to family members or friends is essential. This will allow you to focus on your work during designated hours and reduce stress. Additionally, delegating gives others a chance to contribute and help with essential household tasks that may otherwise go unnoticed.
When it comes to your laundry, doing them yourself on top of your deadlines can be overwhelming. Consider utilizing a reliable laundry delivery service to ease the burden of doing laundry on top of everything else. These services pick up, wash, and deliver your laundry promptly, making it easy to keep up with the daily demands of household chores.
4. Set Expectations With Clients
When working with clients, it’s essential to set expectations right away. Ensure they understand the amount of work expected of them and any deadlines or other requests you may have. This can help establish clear boundaries and prevent misunderstandings later on down the line. Additionally, consider establishing an agreement with each client you work with that outlines your services, expectations, and payment. This will help ensure that both parties are on the same page from the start.
5. Utilize Technology
Finally, take advantage of technology to make your life a little easier as a freelancer. Use tools like project management software, calendar apps, and other organizational systems to stay on top of your tasks and commitments. This way, you can focus more on the essential things and spend less time worrying about whether something is getting done correctly or is due soon.
Here are some technologies you can utilize:
Project Management Software
Project management software is a great way to stay organized and keep on top of your work as a freelancer. It allows you to track progress, assign tasks, create timelines, and more. This way, you can ensure that all commitments are met promptly and that everything is up to standard and according to the project requirements. Some popular options include Trello, Asana, Basecamp, and Monday.com.
Calendar Apps
Calendar apps help you schedule meetings, remember important deadlines, and plan out each day, so you don’t get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. There are lots of different calendar apps out there, like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Apple Calendar so take some time to find the one that works best for you.
Email Templates
Creating email templates can save a lot of time as a freelancer. Having templates ready to go makes it easier to respond to emails quickly and efficiently without worrying about missing anything important or forgetting something crucial. Depending on your needs, you may want to create different types of email templates for clients, prospects, and project updates.
Document Sharing Platforms
Document-sharing platforms such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive are incredibly useful when working with remote teams or clients across multiple locations. They allow you to securely store files online and share them with anyone who needs access. This makes it easier to collaborate on projects and manage files without worrying about anything getting lost in the shuffle.
Closing Thoughts
Clear boundaries are essential for all freelancers, but especially for women balancing other commitments. By setting office hours or working hours, identifying types of clients to work with, scheduling errands, setting expectations with clients, and utilizing technology, you can ensure that your freelance business operates smoothly while also allowing time for yourself. With these tips in mind, you can have better boundaries as a woman freelancer and achieve success in your professional and personal life.
