How To Stay Focused and Productive as a Freelancer (+ Free 30/60/90 Day Plan Template)

12/15/23 • 16 min

In this episode, Austin explores the root problem freelancers face and the constant battle to ignore distractions in the midst of an overwhelming number of to-dos: marketing, client projects, website updates... No wonder many freelancers are burned out!

The truth is, we don’t really want to get more done. No, we want to focus on the right things at the right time, and push the unimportant stuff to the periphery.

So how can freelancers and consultants get clarity, reduce complexity, and build momentum faster?

You create an actionable plan you believe in.

If you want to do that and make minimum viable to transform your freelance business, be sure to grab the free 30/60/90 day plan template Austin mentions at the end.

Key points

What is the root problem for freelancers and consultants? (03:34)
What is the solution to the freelance focus problem? (08:25)
How can freelancers get more done without burning out? (11:42)
What is the next step? (14:57)

Notable Quotes

"You get more done by doing less but better."
"When you have a plan you believe in and make minimum viable progress each day, you will transform your freelance business."

Resources mentioned in this episode:

30/60/90 Action Plan: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T_FyjAEPRqO-W1s0VqmSsDkLewm4v2wYReLgWrgqU5E/edit?usp=sharing
Business Redesign Group Coaching Program: https://www.freelancecake.com/coaching

This episode of Freelance Cake is brought to you by CrowdHealth

Healthcare in the US is complicated, confusing, and highly personal. Insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays can get really expensive, especially for freelancers and consultants who don’t have an employer paying for anything. Over the last 7 years, my family has saved $60,000+ in premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket medical expenses that we would have paid with our previous insurance policy. Healthcare crowdfunding has been a game changer for us. If you live in the U.S. and you haven’t already explored what CrowdHealth has to offer, take the time to educate yourself. And if you decide you want to give them a try, go to www.joincrowdhealth.com. You can use promo code FREELANCECAKE during sign-up to save $99 per month for 3 months.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

For specific beliefs, principles, and practices you can use right away to make the freelance game more profitable and satisfying, subscribe to Freelance Cake podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!

The truth is, we don’t really want to get more done. No, we want to focus on the right things at the right time, and push the unimportant stuff to the periphery.

So how can freelancers and consultants get clarity, reduce complexity, and build momentum faster?

You create an actionable plan you believe in.

If you want to do that and make minimum viable to transform your freelance business, be sure to grab the free 30/60/90 day plan template Austin mentions at the end.

Key points

What is the root problem for freelancers and consultants? (03:34)
What is the solution to the freelance focus problem? (08:25)
How can freelancers get more done without burning out? (11:42)
What is the next step? (14:57)

Notable Quotes

"You get more done by doing less but better."
"When you have a plan you believe in and make minimum viable progress each day, you will transform your freelance business."

Resources mentioned in this episode:

30/60/90 Action Plan: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T_FyjAEPRqO-W1s0VqmSsDkLewm4v2wYReLgWrgqU5E/edit?usp=sharing
Business Redesign Group Coaching Program: https://www.freelancecake.com/coaching

This episode of Freelance Cake is brought to you by CrowdHealth

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Previous Episode

10 Steps to Help You Use the Right “Packaging” to 4x Your Freelance Prices

What if you could charge four times what you do now by making small changes to your freelance packaging?

The freelancers who win consistently aren't always the most skilled or the hardest working. They’re the ones who focus on finding the right advantages, or “levers.”

Packaging is one of those levers.

If you've been in the freelance game for a while, you already have insight into your clients’ pains and wants. You’re already fixing their problems.

But do you have juicy offers that set you apart from other freelancers?

When you package up your services and outcomes and communicate the value as a juicy offer, you make it easy for your target audience to get excited.

In this episode, Austin shares an early coaching case study. Robert is a business consultant who signed up for Business (re)Launch, Austin’s freelance coaching program. With Austin’s help, he developed a new offer.

The offer enabled Robert to charge four times what he had previously.

If you’re curious how they were able to do that, be sure to grab the 10 quick steps Austin shares at the end to help you rethink your packaging.

Key points

Intro (00:00)
The Path(s) to Freelance Success (00:36)
It’s All About Pulling the Right Levers (02:23)
Doing Less (Not More) Helps You Grow Freelance Income Faster (04:19)
Better Packaging Communicates Higher Value (07:27)
When Is the Last Time You Really Considered the Packaging of Your Freelance Services? (09:21)

Notable Quotes

"The freelancers who win the game consistently aren't necessarily the most skilled or the hardest working."

"Better packaging communicates higher value."

"If you are already creating significant value for your clients, small changes to your packaging can have a huge impact on your earning."

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Consulting-Alan-Weiss/dp/0071622101
Business Bootcamp for Freelancers: https://freelancecake.com/coaching

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Next Episode

The 4 Stages of Freelancing Explained | Part 1

You’ve surely heard of the corporate ladder, but what are the career progressions for freelancers? Those of us who sell creativity in some form usually freelance part-time at the start, and those who stick with it eventually think, “Hey, why shouldn’t I be one of those people who make money while they sleep?”

In this episode of Freelance Cake, Austin L. Church discusses the moonlighter and hustler phases of freelancing, shining a light on the motivations, challenges, mistakes, and questions at each stage, as well as the main breakthrough and financial goal for each.

Whether you're reflecting on your current stage or aspiring to reach new heights in your freelancing career, this episode offers practical insights and guidance tailored to your unique stage.

This episode is part of a two-part series, and in the next installment, we'll explore the lifestyler and diversifier stages of freelancing. Don't forget to tune in for that one as we continue peeling back the layers of the freelancing journey.

Key points

Stages of freelancing (01:53)
Moonlighters overview (02:49)
The motivations for moonlighters (03:44)
The challenges for moonlighters (04:39)
The questions for moonlighters (05:50)
The main breakthrough for moonlighters (06:13)
Hustlers overview (08:29)
The motivations for hustlers (10:34)
The challenges for hustlers (11:10)
The questions and breakthrough for hustlers (12:39)
The main financial goal for hustlers (13:39)

Notable Quotes

"The main breakthrough for moonlighters is growing confidence in their ability to win projects and deliver outcomes while managing other responsibilities."
"The main breakthrough for hustlers is setting smart strategic prices that reward your skill, efficiency, and expertise."

Resources

This episode of Freelance Cake is brought to you by CrowdHealth

Listen, rate, and subscribe!