Organize and Learn

This week, I downloaded two apps in Google Chrome in order to help me manage my freelancing jobs and other related tasks. The notebook method, write down each assignment as it comes was working nicely, but there were several little nuances that are not quite as cut and dried as done vs. not done.

The first thing I added was a spreadsheet application. Yes, I have a spreadsheet on my computer, but I wanted something that is only used for my freelancing, so I'm using the Zoho Spreadsheet App for Google Chrome. Along with that I am also using a Task Timer App. The timer app lets you write down the name of your task, set a goal for how long it should take, and find out how long it actually does take. Between these two apps I have been timing how long it takes to do an assignment, minus other goofing off, and what my real hourly wage is. The good news is I am making more per hour than I thought. The bad news is I am working less than I thought.

So I've developed some goals, things I want to accomplish when the queues run dry that pay me the big bucks. I've set a priority hierarchy. Proven sites that pay X cents per word are at the top. This blog, although it is somewhat illusive at the moment is 2nd priority. Poetry and Fiction, which I write for the sake of my sanity are next, and articles written without a confirmed buyer round up the list. The goal, Tuesday - Monday, is to write 30 articles/assignments, 7 blogs, and 1 poem/story each week. If I look at how long it takes to do all this, I really should write even more, but it is a good beginning. If I stay on top of everything, I get a "weekend" on Sunday and Monday. I'll be working this weekend.

But now I know. I need to pull myself away from distractions, maybe I will need to set alarms to catapult me from "break time" to work time. Whatever it takes to get me to work more. But I am learning, and progressing all the time. I still think I'm going to be okay.