Life as a freelancer is a life of thrill.
Either you are:
- Raking in dollars
- Doing amazing work
- Hanging out with the smartest people out there
Or you are:
- Working alone
- Struggling to get clients
- Failing at networking
The funny thing is you can enjoy both of these phases.
Each has its own perks and benefits.
The thrill of pursuing clients relentlessly when you have no clients.
The joy of closing a client after a famine.
Seeing dollars piling up in your bank.
But these ups and downs are not good for your wallet.
While writing this, I remembered a story I read recently.
King Solomon, known for his great wisdom, decided to humble himself and gain a deeper understanding of human experience.
So, he summoned his most trusted minister – Benaiah. King ordered him to find a special ring.
The catch?
The ring should have the power to make him happy in sad times and sad in happy times.
Benaiah thought to himself, does such a ring even exist??
He accepted the task and set out to find the ring.
He searched everywhere.
Through markets and distant lands. He met with a lot of artisans and wise men.
Everyone said that such a ring does not exist.
But he continued his search.
When he was about to give up on this seemingly impossible task, he met a humble jeweller in a small village.
The minister asked if he knew of such a ring.
The wise jeweller smiled.
He took a plain gold ring and engraved something on it. And gave it to the Minister.
When Benaiah returned to the palace, King Solomon was very happy.
He presented the ring to the King.
The king looked at it and instantly became sad.
The ring was inscribed – This too shall pass.
Lesson – If you are having low clients, it will pass. If you have more clients, this will pass too.
What should you do??
When you have more clients, branch out into an agency.
This will help you increase your capacity and revenue.
It can be overwhelming. You will require a streamlined workflow for this.
A simple strategy will help you handle more clients and execute projects efficiently – the 4D’s framework.
The 4D’s Framework
By categorizing tasks into these four actions, you can focus on:
- What’s important
- Outsource effectively
- Manage your time better
- Eliminate distractions
Do: Focus on High-Priority Tasks
Identify the tasks that are critical to project success and tackle them first.
I use Notion to list and prioritize my daily tasks. You can use any tool that you want.
If you are using Notion, create a “Today” section to keep your top priorities front and centre.
For example:
For a web design project, your “Do” tasks might include creating wireframes and discussing requirements with the client.
Delegate: Outsource Tasks
These days, I am a big fan of delegation.
I believe in the Notion – Do what you do best, delegate the rest.
To excel at delegation, you should:
- Identify tasks that can be outsourced, such as administrative work or repetitive tasks.
- Find reliable freelancers or virtual assistants.
- Provide clear instructions and set expectations for delegated tasks.
For example:
Delegating graphic design work, data entry, or scheduling social media posts.
Defer: Schedule Non-Urgent Tasks
These tasks are important but not urgent.
They can be scheduled for a later time without affecting the project’s overall progress.
I will be honest with you.
Once you understand how to prioritize tasks and activities, you will achieve so much more in life than you can imagine.
It is important to understand what you shouldn’t be doing at the moment.
Everyone knows what they should be doing. Most people don’t know what they shouldn’t be doing.
- Identify tasks that can be postponed.
- Use a task management tool like Notion to set reminders and deadlines.
- Allocate specific times in your calendar for these tasks.
For example:
Updating your portfolio, conducting market research, or planning future projects.
Delete: Eliminate Unnecessary Tasks
These tasks do not add significant value and can be eliminated to free up time for more important activities.
To do this effectively, you should:
- Regularly review your task list and identify low-impact activities.
- Evaluate whether these tasks are necessary or can be eliminated.
- Remove or minimize activities that do not contribute to your goals.
For example:
Excessive email checking, unnecessary meetings, or non-productive browsing.
I would suggest that start each week by categorizing your tasks into four categories.
I do this every Sunday. Plan my week’s tasks in advance.
This approach ensures you’re always focused on what matters most.
Reading a framework is one thing and implementing that framework is another.
Read to learn and take action to earn.
To make action easy for you, I have created a Notion template – Project Workflow Optimizer.
Notion Template – Project Workflow Optimizer
This Notion template helps you implement the 4D’s framework effectively.
It includes sections for each of the 4D categories.
Along with task management features, calendar integration, and delegation tracking.
I connected with a freelancer and she suggested that I should write about how to land retainers.
I wrote about this yesterday.
Tomorrow, I am going to publish a whole guide on this.
Explain how retainers work and why retainers are the key to growth and scaling your business.
Let me know if you would like to learn a specific aspect of this topic.
Waiting to hear from you.
Adios.
Talha X
Dreamer & Founder @ The Notion Millionaire.
