Freelancing to Freedom

Hello, dear readers. I’m going to keep this one short and sweet, which is fitting since last week was all about streamlining and saving time.  That being said, I’m not going to make a habit of rushing through blogs. I just happened to be celebrating my dad’s retirement from the teaching profession this weekend and am now on the road. Congratulations again, Dad, and thanks for inspiring me to pursue a career as a freelance editor and for being one of the very first readers of this blog!

There are a million resources out there if you want to learn how to manage your time effectively and maximize productivity. I’ve written numerous posts about this very topic.

Last week, however, I saved valuable seconds, minutes, and hours by doing one simple thing: I STOPPED. CHECKING. FACEBOOK. EVERY. FIVE. MINUTES.

I didn’t really think I had a problem (that’s what they all say). I would lose focus on whatever I was working on, skip quickly to Facebook just for a 10-second peek, then back to work. No harm done.

But the damage had been done.

I realized just how much that “harmless” peek interrupts my thought patterns and makes it infinitely more difficult to regain focus once I stopped doing it. I banned Facebook (and all other social media) during my productive work hours last week, and the increase in productivity was exponential.

That’s not to say I’m against social media. I understand that many of my colleagues use it as a marketing tool and as a way to connect with others in their industry. I do use Twitter for this purpose, but I can’t justify Facebook during my workday.

What’s your vice during your working hours? Can you give it up, just for a week?

This week’s goal: Be more aware of and grateful for the “little things,” like good health.

Songs of the week:  “40 Day Dream” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, “Zebra” – Beach House

Namaste 

Sorry for the cat photo. I couldn’t resist. Facebook isn’t my only distraction…

Rachel