HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TIME AS A REMOTE FREELANCER [AND ACTUALLY ENJOY THE FREEDOM]
When you think of remote freelancing, you might imagine working from a tropical paradise with a laptop, a coconut, and endless views. And while it can look like that sometimes, the reality is far from all play. The key to thriving as a remote freelancer isn’t just finding the perfect location—it’s mastering the art of time management.
As a freelancer, your time is your currency. The better you manage it, the more freedom you have to enjoy the perks of this lifestyle. In this post, I’ll share tips and tools that help me stay on track while juggling multiple clients and projects.
Why Time Management Is Crucial for Freelancers
When you’re working remotely, you’re in control of your schedule—an incredible perk, but also a big responsibility. Without a boss looking over your shoulder or set office hours, it’s easy to let time slip away. Good time management helps you:
Hit deadlines without stress
Maximize productivity during work hours
Maintain a healthy work-life balance
Avoid burnout
Top Time Management Tips for Freelancers
Set Clear Work Hours - even though freelancing offers flexibility, setting work hours can help you stay disciplined. Decide when you’ll start and stop each day, and communicate this with your clients.
Prioritize Tasks with a Daily Plan - start each day by listing your top priorities. Use tools like Trello or Notion to organize tasks by deadlines and importance, so you know exactly what to focus on.
Use a Time-Tracking Tool - one of the best ways to ensure you’re not overworking (or underworking!) is to track your time. I use Clockify, a free app that helps me monitor how long I spend on each project. It’s simple—just hit “start” when you begin a task and “stop” when you’re done.
Master the Pomodoro Technique - break your work into focused intervals (like 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break). Apps like Focus Booster can help you stick to this method and avoid distractions.
Batch Similar Tasks Together - group tasks like emails, invoicing, and social media into blocks, so you’re not constantly switching between different types of work.
Learn to Say No - overcommitting is a surefire way to lose control of your schedule. Be realistic about how much you can handle, and don’t be afraid to turn down work that doesn’t fit into your priorities.
The Tools I Swear By
Here are the tools I personally use to stay productive and manage my time:
Clockify: Tracks time spent on each project.
Google Calendar: Helps me schedule work blocks and client calls.
Trello: Keeps my tasks and deadlines organized visually.
Monday: Another task management tool I have used in the past.
Notion: A customizable tool for managing everything from content ideas to daily checklists - I don’t use this, but I have heard very good things so wanted to keep it in here,.
Apple Notes: I am a sucker for the notes app on my phone - I love the tickable to-do- lists, and the folder organisation layout it has.
Balancing Work and Freedom
The freedom of freelancing is amazing, but it only works when you balance it with discipline. By managing your time effectively, you can give yourself space to enjoy the perks of remote work—whether that’s exploring a new city, spending more time with loved ones, or just having a leisurely morning coffee.
Start by trying one or two of the tips above, and see how they transform your productivity. The better you manage your time, the closer you’ll get to that elusive “work-life balance” everyone dreams of.