Hi,
I have to remember – when I write a Friday post – not to say I’ll be writing “tomorrow” when I mean “Monday.” I apologise.
Which brings me to Focus.
Would I have made the same mistake if I were more focussed? Would you have still broken the vase, Neo, if I hadn’t said anything? hmmm…
Anyway, on Friday, I was writing about focussing – or working – on just one project at a time. You get to enjoy the fruits of your labour sooner. I also mentioned I’d tell you how making that change has been going for me.
The simple answer is – slow, steadily and I’m enjoying the results.
Anyone who wants a little more detail – just keep reading. 😉
You know it’s more than just a matter of waking up one day and saying “Okay, I’m only working on one project at a time from now on.”
I have my own e-book tele-workshop series launching in March, clients to write and edit for, plus books to research and write. Following Rich Schefren’s advice about working on one project at a time is something I have to work at deliberately.
As much as any individual project, this is something I have to plan. Let’s start by looking at the kinds of work that are on my plate right now.
1. the e-book tele-workshop series. 21 teleseminars focussed on showing business owners the step by step for how to enter the information marketing arena. A one time sort of project.
2. copywriting clients – writing for them, and editing their material. This is ongoing stuff – they pay a monthy retainer.
3. books – these are a combination of the other two. Writing the book is a one time thing, but it’s ongoing because of the marketing of the book, and planning to write an updated version.
So, how can I work on one project at a time when I”ll always have clients sending me things to edit – or asking for something to be written?
Good question. Here’s how I’m finding the answer.
The most important project is the e-book tele-workshop series. (It also happens to be the biggest – just coincidence.) It involves a lot of joint ventures, creating support tools for affiliates, plus promotional copy, call scripts and e-mails. Remember, it’s also a one-off thing.
So I”m taking five hours out of each day to work on it. Sometimes more, but I am promising myself to spend at least that much time on the project.
Then come the books. In the big picture, these have longer lasting importance than the tele-workshop series. First, I’m working on just one at a time.
The Instant Amazon Best-Seller Formula is done and in the hands of the designer. It’ll probably be out this month. Now I’m working on Marketing Web Sites for Freelance Copywriters – Bob has given me his first set of edtis.
When that’s done, I’ll put my energy into the book on List Building.
Right now, I’m putting four hours each day into books.
Okay – we’re up to a nine hour work day.
Then there’s work for copywriting clients. For the most part, I can get that work done by putting in two hours each day. I don’t take a lot of copywriting clients – I prefer writing books, actually.
So now we have an 11 hour day. Add to that the time I spend writing a blog post each day, writing an article, doing admin stuff, etc. etc. etc.
It’s a good thing I enjoy being up at 4:30 and going to bed at 10. I need all 17 1/2 hours!
This should make it EXTREMELY clear why Rich Schefren’s adivce is worth following. If I were working on just one project – that’s PROJECT – at a time, I’d have a lot more time to myself each day.
Writing copy for clients is something I’ll always do. It’s fun, I like meeting people, and there’s always something new to learn. There will always be admin work, blog posts, and articles to write.
That “part” of every day is a constant.
The problem right now is that I have the tele-workshop series (a project) and two books (two projects) to work on. That’s three projects at one time.
Dividing up the day like I have works for me. It isn’t the burden you might think it is because everything I’m doing is pleasing to me. That said, I don’t want this kind of workload to continue indefinitely.
So, I’ve decided to work six days each week. The extra day gets put into the tele-workshop series.
When the current book is written, I won’t accept another. The book on List Building has a planned release for the end of the year anyway, so there is lots of time to work on it.
What I’ll do in the future is plan one big project every two years – a project like the tele-workshop series. When I’m working on something like that, I won’t take any book projects.
I’ll keep copywriting commitments down to about 4 or 5 hours each day. This will keep part of each day open for working on every current project.
There it is. My way of putting Rich Schefren’s advice to work for me, and enjoying the results.
What do you think? Would you do it differently? How will you put Rich’s advice to use for yourself?
Conrad