Creativity

Published on November 16th, 2012 | by Guest Author

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What is the Most Productive Time of a Freelancers Day?

Have you ever wondered why sometimes you sit down at the computer to get some copywriting done and you are able to become a lean mean writing machine and other times you get tired, bored overwhelmed and distracted easily?

Our bodies have their own natural rhythms and there are certain times of the day when we are better at focusing, problem solving, using language and employing creative thought than others. If you can learn when these most productive hours are, you will be able to do more writing in less time and maximize your success as a freelancer.

What is the Most Productive Time of a Freelancers Day?

If you can get used to writing during your most productive hours, you can actually do more work in less time. For example, I tend to hit my stride earlier in the day and I try to finish by work before 5 of 6pm. If I need to go back later in the evening and work on something, I find that it can take me almost twice as long to do the same task because I am more tired and less focused. Working during my off-peak hours is almost not worth it, because I could do the same work in less time if I did it earlier in the day.

I could sleep until noon every day, but I have learned that if I set my alarm for 8am and get going by 9am I can take advantage of my most productive working hours and not have to work late into the evening when my brain starts to slow down. That is what works for me, but your body clock might be different.

It Isn’t Always in the Morning

Many productivity blogs will tell you that the secret to success in life is being able to rise and shine at 6am and greet the day. You should go for a morning jog and then sit down bright and early at the laptop and get all of your work done before mid-afternoon.

Sure, that might work for some people, but it is only one way of managing your time. Everyone’s personal body clock is different and while some people might be in full gear as the sun is rising, others might find themselves much more creative late in the evening after everyone has gone to bed.

How to Find Your Own Schedule

Listen to your body and let it tell you when you are at your peak performance. Monitor yourself for a week and take note of when you felt energized, creative and focused as opposed to when you felt tired, distractible or sleepy.

Once you have determined when these peak hours are, you can fit your other tasks around your working hours. Your most “high-energy” hours should be used for working and then the rest of the time can be for exercise, eating, hobbies, household tasks and other activities that don’t require the absolute best of your brain power.

Other External Factors

When you are determining the best time to get your copywriting work done, there are other factors to consider as well as your own circadian rhythms, such as the patterns of everything else in your household. For example, if you have small kids you might find that you write best in the evening after they have gone to bed and the house is quiet. If your partner works late you might find yourself staying up late to spend time with them and then sleeping in and starting your work later in the afternoon.

This is one of the huge advantages of being a freelance copywriter, because you have the freedom to set your own schedule and fit your work around your lifestyle. Find your most productive hours of the day and use them to your full advantage!

Article by Guest Author

As a freelance copywriter, what is your most productive time of the day? When you find out, you can maximize your schedule and get more done in less time.

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