The bitter truth is that this is the first time I’ve written a blog post after an entire year. During that year, I couldn’t find the time for it or even to publish my works or thoughts, which is my main outlet and motivation for continuing.
I drowned myself for a year in an overwhelming pile of work, and I was so scattered that I couldn’t find the time to do anything else. The only lesson I’ve learned during this period is to never bury myself in this cycle again, and to fix any mistakes I made over the past years by trying a new work approach. I’m sharing this with you for two main reasons:
1. To hold myself accountable: Sharing it will obligate me to follow through, or at least try. Maybe I won’t succeed in it “and I’ll come back to you later and say I didn’t manage,” or maybe I’ll stick to it for a long time. But at the very least, I will have shared what I’m thinking and want to try.
2. To provide value: I might save someone a step by sharing this, or someone might benefit from it and apply some of the points in their work. Or it might not be relevant at all to someone else, but it’s still worth sharing, which I believe is important for everyone in our field.
I’ll summarize the experience in the following points:
I’m No Longer Truly Independent
I mean in the commonly understood sense, working from home or a café and working at night or during the day. Instead, I’m an employee of my own company, working regular hours like any other person. I might be late or arrive early if I’m excited, and I leave without my laptop, trying to separate my professional life from my personal one. Being a freelancer or a business owner doesn’t mean my work should interfere with my life and vice versa.
No More Fake Productivity
I no longer work non-stop through the night, and there’s no need to make it a rule or lifestyle. I’ve realized that every time I rush to finish my work, I just pile more onto myself, adding extra weight that distracts me and pulls me back from my main goals. The simple solution is to give each task or project its proper time and to balance it with my personal life without letting work consume me.
I’ll Organize My Work and Eliminate the Chaos
Organizing work doesn’t mean losing income. Provision comes from God, but your effort, exhaustion, and sleepless nights to earn it can be managed. There’s no need to take on projects that don’t benefit me or my company, and I won’t put up with the chaos of some clients. I’ll only take on work that adds something new to me. I’ll also train my mind to separate work from personal life, ensuring that neither affects the other.
Six Hours of Work Only!
It sounds short, right? But it’s not. I’ve realized that six hours is the true amount of time I need to complete my tasks. By tasks, I mean external projects that aren’t my own. This doesn’t include additional hours I might work on a blog post, book, or personal project. But six hours for my daily tasks is a realistic timeframe. You can adjust it slightly up or down as needed, but I’ll be sticking to it.
Two Days Off!
Is that too much? Not at all. I discovered that I was most productive when I worked freelance a couple of years ago. I’d leave the house, work at any café I came across, or just leave my laptop behind and go exploring new places. It was refreshing and helped clear my mind. I’ve decided to repeat this positive habit by taking two days off each week: one day for my family and one day for myself to unwind.
Should You Do the Same?
Not necessarily. What I’ve reached is related to my experiences and work style, and it might not suit you. You might find yourself working late at night, in the morning, or for long hours. You might also be just starting out, and it’s important to dive into real work to gain experience. So, this approach isn’t for everyone.
Will I Stick to This?
Not necessarily. I might change this approach after some time or at least adjust it. I might stick to it for a year or two. The point is that I’ve found a work style that I’ll try for a while, hoping it will make me more comfortable, improve my productivity, and help me achieve my goals more steadily.
On the Sidelines…
Despite the chaos and pressure of the past year, the good news for me (and maybe for you) is that I’ve been jotting down notes or keywords for blog post ideas whenever they crossed my mind, which should make it easier to return to regular writing. I also think that the blog’s current theme, which has been around for three years or more, needs updating.
I’ve also completed some projects over the past year, and I’ll be happy to share them with you soon.
In conclusion, I’m excited and optimistic about returning to writing, “though I’m not sure if it’s too late or boring.” I thank everyone who asked about me during the past year or encouraged me to return to blogging. Welcome back 🙂