How to be a brutally effective freelancer

I’m developing different custom AI/Machine Learning solutions for different clients and teaching this field. This requires great concentration and focus. I also need to rest in order to perform well. So, for me, high efficiency and a good work-life balance are very important. I hope I can help you with my experience.

1. Setting up the Perfect Workspace

Have a separate room! This works for me, but a shared office is even better if you have family and noise can filter in. If you have a family, it’s not best to work from home. Everyone has a different inspiring environment. Try a private room at home, a coffee shop, rent an office nearby, go to the park. Do statistics, see where you were most effective. Don’t think it’s not important where you work! And: Dress normally for work. It’s not nice to work in smelly and dirty clothes, everyone knows that.

2. Equip Yourself with the Right Tools

Have a super cool laptop and monitor! For me a desktop is not enough, I need a laptop because I like to travel. I take advantage of the 10+ hours of battery life. For a long time I worked on a 16" laptop display and my efficiency was a third of what it was when I worked on a 13" laptop and a 27" monitor. For me, a 27"+ monitor is too big, I can’t see the edges very well. If you need a bigger monitor than that, think about more monitors. Or maybe a large curved monitor might be good. Because AI development needs strong hardware, therefore a very strong server is also important for me.

3. Follow a Consistent Schedule

Have a pretty fixed schedule. It worked for me to have a regular schedule. That means a predetermined 4 hours a day when I’m sure I’m working. I schedule my time by getting up in the morning, being with my family, eating breakfast together, playing with the kids, talking to my wife. Then I work out, take a bath, study. In the evening I work until bedtime. Sunday is for family and rest.

When you work, don’t watch videos or listen to podcasts. Focus 100% on work. It’s best to track your work, write down what you’ve been working on in half-hour increments.

Have a priority spreadsheet where you can see all your to-dos (while you work), all prioritised, with deadlines. Review it every evening, or at the latest in the morning, and be very conscious of what you are doing. Be sure you are working on the most important and urgent task at hand.

Set an alarm clock before your meeting. It’s important to keep only as much in mind as you need to, so that you have the brain power for the more important things. An alarm clock can help with this. For me, my alarm goes off 13 minutes before. After that I have time to finish the task I’m working on, go for a coffee and go to the restroom.

I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with us in the comments! Help others!

To be continued