Chris Hardnick's Self-Help Wall

Like many of you that read my blog, I am also a “freelancer.” The wikipedia defines freelancer as a “person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any particular employer.” I would define it as a person who seeks an alternative workstyle based on their creative pursuits and talents, while marketing and selling those skills to a world market. This person is simultaneously an employee and employer/manager. That’s a big job. This year I am seeking to do a better job of managing my time in order to produce the best creative output possible. In other words, I want to become more organized!

So, with those intentions in mind (also: be on the lookout for a post about intentions), I read Wired.com’s “Diary of a Self-Help Dropout: Flirting With the 4-Hour Workweek” written by Chris Hardnick (of the blog Nerdist). Basically, Hardnick decided to test out the works of several organization and time-management gurus on behalf of freelancing individuals everywhere. He reviewed David Allen’s Getting Things Done, also known by its shorthand of GTD. He also checked out Julie Morgenstern’s Never Check E-Mail in the Morning, and Timothy Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek.  (BTW: Don’t you love Hardnick’s post-it wall!)

Although I don’t want to spoil the ending (because you should really read the piece), it appears as though freelancers have to create their own organization system that best suits our individual needs. I’m personally developing and redeveloping my own workflow and time-management system. It’s a dynamic process for me. I’m trying to incorporate new methods that not only bring out my best organization but greatest creativity as well.

I’m trying out new things like Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way’s morning pages, in which you write three pages in long-hand first thing in the morning. And thanks to my new twitter buddy @YMIB (the developer of a fantastic web site called YMIB.com), I am now writing down ideas that I have in the bathroom and in the bedroom in cleverly placed notebooks in those areas. (And it’s working!) I’m feeling more productive and creative. And better yet, I’m having an abundance of creative ideas, which goes along with my intention for 2009 (more on that to come).

So, check out Chris Hardnick’s piece on Wired.com. And start working on your own personal workflow to create more organization, time-management and productivity in 2009. Please send comments, suggestions and what’s working for you. I’d love to repost them!

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella