People look for additional earnings for different reasons. Side job can become a good source of wages, a way of realizing your potential or master a new specialty having made it the main occupation. The existing problem of free time and its planning becomes times pressing, if due to side job it is little if any. How can you combine job and freelance (side job)? Can you do two jobs and have time for everything? There are several rules to follow that will help you accomplish the scheduled tasks leaving sufficient time for rest and communication with the nearest and dearest!
Rule 1. Make the loading schedule
Freelance should be assigned with separate time not overlapping with the main job (official/ with the employment record book). Occupation may be different: in some situations, it is really easier to transfer a part of tasks from the side job to the office time. But only in case you can quickly switch over, combine, instantaneously concentrate on new tasks. No? Leave the idea to perform the freelance project in the office: performance will drop that will result in greater weariness.
It is much easier and more comfortable to devote separate 2-3 hours on weekdays, 7-8 hours at the weekend to additional earning. Working at home, without distracting to unrelated matters allows to quicker solve the set tasks preserving the performance.
Rule 2. Define the priorities
Answer a simple question, why did you start using the services like GetService in search of additional earning? Do you perceive freelance as a hobby or are you looking for an alternative to the main job? In the situations when remote engagement is only for additional earning and the source of inspiration, try to devote only free time to it not mixing it up with the main job. The rule “divide and govern” is up-to-date! Ask those who are more experienced in this issue how to combine the main job and the side job.
Rule 3. Commensurate the wishes and opportunities
A person having just plunged into freelance and feeling that he/she can add a significant amount to main earnings, is running a risk of losing the wage taking up too many projects. A beginner should do the following:
– try doing the projects one after another to understand how much time is required to solve this or that task;
– calculate how many orders you can do daily subject to preserving adequate sleep;
– distribute, when you are planning to do the side job.
And never take up more orders, than fall into the set time limits. Rush jobs have made good to noone so far. Rush toward a large number of orders may become a reason of their low-quality performance in future. Deterioration of quality will lead to clients refusal from cooperation. The freelancer is not interested in such outcome. It’s better to do less, but of higher quality and more professionally. Get regular customers and be provided with work for ages. And there is no sick leave on freelance!
Rule 4. There are 24 hours a day – use then sensibly
Learn to plan your own time. For sure, you know, when you return from work, how many hours you need to have a rest, prepare supper, communicate with children (fill in at your choice). Assign a certain time to the side job, when you immediately get down to work.
As for the contemporary person, the problem of planning is perfectly settled by applications for gadgets – convenient planners, where you can write your timetable for every day, set the reminders, tick the completed projects.
Each project can be split into separate stages. For example, to prepare a translation, the specialist needs time for the first reading, comprehension of the text. Then the text is divided into logical parts. Then the translation follows. Check of the completed work should be transferred to the next day – a fresh eye easily catches mistakes that escaped during writing.
Leave time for sleep, refuse from night work in favour of a sound rest. A sleepy person is low-effective.
Rule 5. Think 5 moves ahead
You cannot anticipate all force-majeure situations, however, it does make sense to look through the daily planner 1-2 weeks ahead. What for? If you know your timetable, you:
– won’t take up a project knowing about a forthcoming trip to another city;
– will refuse from work on the birthday of your close friend (never leave performance of important tasks for a period after a party – abundant emotions, alcohol does not allow to concentrate on the serious matter);
– won’t fail to meet the deadline on the threshold of vacation, etc.
You cannot anticipate all force-majeures (in particular, unexpected disease, extra hours on the main job, etc.). However, the more you will plan, the less frequently you’ll get into the situations with failure to meet the deadlines of your orders.
Rule 6. Take care of your own comfort
Establish your own set of rules covering both main and side jobs. The list will be individual: each person has his/her own priority. It may look as follows:
- Refuse from extra orders, if their completion requires time to be taken from your sleep.
- Don’t take up the orders that seem complicated and obscure from the very beginning.
- Agree the tasks completion deadlines with the clients, providing for an additional day (to be on the safe side).
- Do not perform more than 2, 4, 10 projects a day (depending on the performance of a certain person).
- Refuse from low-paid work (fix the minimum price limit, and never go below).
Rule 7. Think of the future
Develop such algorithm of cooperation with the clients, when you’ll have an opportunity of contacting at least 1-2 times in the evenings. It is necessary, if additional questions arise during the project implementation, or if you realize that you’ll need more time to complete a particular task. Let the client see that you keep in touch, are interested in, scrupulous about work.
Rule 8. Communicate with the clients
Clarify the tasks, ask additional questions, check whether you understand everything as it is, ask the client to fill in the brief, if it will help improve the final quality of the project.
Before you take up a new order, you should surely ask:
– in what terms the client is expecting to get the final result;
– in what way the advance payment or payment for the finished order will be carried out;
– whether you should provide the materials before payment (full or a part of finished work);
– whether the customer has an example of analog (similar) work he/she likes.
The level of additional earning depends on the extent you are able to satisfy the client’s request. Some details should be discussed before confirming the agreement to accomplish the project.
Rule 9. Do not take the problems to the dark junk room
You should surely discuss with the customer possible failure to meet the deadlines in case of force-majeure. It is particularly important for remote employees engaged in creative activities. Absence of the muse can be critical!
If any problems arise, don’t conceal them – inform the client that the work went sideways. Remember simple things:
– putting the problems aside concentrates rather than solves them;
– accumulation of problems results in failure to meet the deadlines and nervous breakdown;
– last-minute notice of troubles is much more negative to relations with the clients, as fails to meet their expectations;
– timely notice that the plans require adjustment is manifestation of respect to the client who will be able to adjust his/her own plans.
Call the client every time a clash arises.
Rule 10. Provide time for leisure and communication with the nearest and dearest
There is a true and prothetic saying that a man who cannot find time for rest is doomed, as the disease will send him to rest. No matter how much time you spend for the main/side job and freelance, leave a part of it for your personal life, communication with the nearest and dearest, healthy recreation.
Have at least one day a week a complete day-off. On this day it is preferred to refuse from the laptop, leave the computer switched off, forget your cellular at home. Stop solving business issues, thinking of new projects, when at leisure.
Set a rule, at least, once a month refuse from a side job for 3-4 days devoting yourself to the nearest and dearest and leisure.
Rule 11. Take heed to health
Take care of your health. In particular, if a freelancer is a pregnant woman on a maternity leave (it occurs with ever increasing frequency). Never sacrifice your sleep for the sake of work, give 1-2 hours a day to outdoor walks, go in for sports or have more and longer walks. You can refuse from using public transport, if the distances allow.
Every hour leave the desk for 3-5 minutes, do simple stretching exercises or hang on the bar. Do not postpone a visit to a doctor, if you feel unwell. A sick person may keep his/her cool and preserve performance, remain at duty for a long time. Remember!
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