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Anyone know the answer or have good recommendations for this thought: As a freelance (marketing but could be anything) consultant, I have 4 hours of client wor

Anyone know the answer or have good recommendations for this thought: As a freelance (marketing but could be anything) consultant, I have 4 hours of client work to do a day, and 4 hours of side project work. The client work has to be done, but is less exciting or long term since I'm working for other people. The side project work requires self-motivation because no one is holding me to it, but has more upside in the long term, and I like working on it. Is it better to do: A) Get all client work done from 8am-12pm, then side project from 1pm-5pm -or- B) Side project from 8am-12pm, client work 1pm-5pm. -or- C) Some other method like Monday - Wed client work only, Thurs-Fri side project only I had started with version A, but then throughout the day I look for an escape from client work so I go on Hacker News and read blog posts. I'm thinking version B is better so I can pump out the stuff I like first, and get the ball rolling. Then the less brain-intensive client work I'll have a shorter window to finish, so I have to focus and get it done. Right now, my client work expands to fill the whole day by having fragmented focus, and I can't get to side project work ever.

adenverd 9y ago
In my experience, work before play is the most productive strategy. Two things that I think might help your situation: 1) Pomodoro technique - I modify this to be 45-60 minutes of work, 10-15 minute breaks. I do six of these throughout the day. When I'm in the work phase, no news/social media/any distractions, focus is important. Do whatever you want in your breaks. And stick to the timers, don't go over on either your work periods or your break periods. 2) If you're doing client work 8am-12pm, stop at 12pm, regardless of whether you've accomplished what you were hoping to. Stopping when you say you'll stop makes it a lot easier to stay mentally focused when you first pick it back up the next day: even if you don't like what you're working on, you know you only have to focus on it until lunchtime, and then you get to work on the fun stuff.
- josephjrobison 9y ago
  Great tips, appreciate it! I’ve gone off and on pomodoro for years. I think the missing part is strict discipline on ending. Hard when there’s no one overseeing! A work in progress!

adenverd 9y ago

In my experience, work before play is the most productive strategy. Two things that I think might help your situation: 1) Pomodoro technique - I modify this to be 45-60 minutes of work, 10-15 minute breaks. I do six of these throughout the day. When I'm in the work phase, no news/social media/any distractions, focus is important. Do whatever you want in your breaks. And stick to the timers, don't go over on either your work periods or your break periods. 2) If you're doing client work 8am-12pm, stop at 12pm, regardless of whether you've accomplished what you were hoping to. Stopping when you say you'll stop makes it a lot easier to stay mentally focused when you first pick it back up the next day: even if you don't like what you're working on, you know you only have to focus on it until lunchtime, and then you get to work on the fun stuff.

josephjrobison 9y ago
Great tips, appreciate it! I’ve gone off and on pomodoro for years. I think the missing part is strict discipline on ending. Hard when there’s no one overseeing! A work in progress!