My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY9

 Work Location Freedom

Today’s challenge is to imagine a month-long working holiday in Portugal (or any other dream destination) and the way to balance adventure and work while on this holiday.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 9

I have not visited Lisbon, Portugal. This challenge gives me a chance to daydream and visit this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, with beautiful sunny climate, and sites, magnificent landmarks, museums, hotels, viewpoints where the ‘old’ merges into the ‘new’.

Balancing work and adventure will seem difficult in such a beautiful city. The nightlife is rich, enjoy joyful music and lively atmosphere at the clubs. However, it is possible.

I could plan some weekdays, to enjoy the lively, bustling city and the shopping centers in the day time. Working in the evening and night time in the cafes will let me enjoy some Belém custard tarts, Cinnamon and sugar sprinkled pastries.

Work hours can be interrupted with short trips in the city to absorb the smell of fresh seafood or the fiery sunsets from some of the famous viewpoints like São Pedro de Alcântara and São Jorge Castle.

Work will be wrapped up in the morning and afternoon to enjoy the nightlife on weekends. Castles and beaches can be enjoyed in the daytime by planning work in the evening. I could enjoy wine tasting at the vineyards.

To ensure productivity and efficiency, I would keep all my laptop, apps, tools, emails, Wi-Fi connectivity. I can ensure one blog post each day, composing emails, a few quick calls on Skype if required.

As a freelancer, location freedom calls for a right mix of work and leisure. What is your dream destination? How would you balance your life?

#10DBC #freedomplan

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY8

Choosing an Adventure/ Fun

Today’s challenge is about having fun. I read the blog post challenge in the evening, by then the day has passed.

However, I will talk about my fun adventure on Wednesday when I let down my hair, played with my kid, spent time with my husband (rarely get to do that) and relaxed. I call this adventure as it is not in my nature to ‘let go of things’ easily.

My kid has just started to go to school and he is anxious about everything. So, I wanted him to relax since it was a holiday. Me and my husband took turns to make sure he felt loved, and enjoyed doing his homework – coloring and scribbling.

We enjoyed watching a movie with him – ‘Cars’, as he loves cars. It has been just family time for all of us. We went for a one hour long walk in the neighborhood. My husband, then put him to sleep late in the evening, after supper, while I took a short nap.

We relaxed with a personal facial session followed by a short chit chat session. We rarely get to do this. Our faces were covered with the face mask. It was relaxing and our faces felt soft.

I got everything ready for the next day at school – uniform and bag, while my husband watched his favorite shows on TV. We relaxed with a cup of tea. My husband dozed off to sleep.

I began writing my challenge Day 7 post to beat procrastination and overwhelm by taking action, even if it is imperfect. After completing the post, I was inspired to write another one ‘Time management technique for Freelancers’ inspired by Natalie Sisson’s Pomodoro session in the same challenge.

#10DBC #freedomplan

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 8

The adventure helped ‘find me’ and hope to make it part of my lifestyle. You too can find yourself by choosing an adventure or having fun – go out and play, enjoy, and relax. If you do not have fun every day, try to make it part of your lifestyle and write about it.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY7

Take Action, Even If It Is Imperfect

Today’s challenge is to pick one imperfect action and what would it be like if it is done every day.

Natalie talks of Procrastination and Overwhelm being two sides of a coin. I procrastinate and am overwhelmed at the same time, sometimes. Because of the overload of work, I fear getting down to business and procrastinate the task that looks humongous to me, just like that big giant coming down on me.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 7

#10DBC #freedomplan

Procrastination and overwhelm have cost me a lot in life and yet I am afraid to face them. Today, I wish to do something about them. 'Take Action, Even If It Is Imperfect', because some action is better than no action.

I have been procrastinating my blog writing on a daily basis. Because I feel overwhelmed about what I write, stopped writing for about 11 years. I was a regular blogger on ‘Rediffiland’ till 2005 and have begun writing again in 2016.

This is going to be my imperfect task – Blogging, imperfect to perfection. Like they say, ‘success lies ahead of fear’.

‘Imperfect or I-m-perfect Action’, read it the way you like, but the point is to take action and stop procrastinating. Perfection paralyses action, imperfection makes you exercise to reach that ultimate goal of perfection. Each time you raise the bar, it still seems unreachable.

I intend to discipline myself to use the Pomodoro Technique so that I can work on my imperfect action every day to achieve the freedom lifestyle I often dream of.

I will devote time, clear doubts, set the right intention, a positive attitude, and connect within to write that imperfect piece every day.

Think about your imperfect action and set the stage for action, you will soon be there, where you belong.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY6

#10DBC #freedomplan

Finding My Tribe Challenge

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 6

This is a difficult challenge – ‘to find a tribe of my own’. What do I mean by that?

I mean everyone who helps and supports you in your endeavor to achieve the freedom lifestyle. It could be someone you admire. I have been my own strength. My family is my strength.

I do not have any mentors yet. However, I have enrolled for a few emails from NeilPatel (Quicksprout), Darren Rowse (Problogger), Jitendra Vaswani (BloggersIdeas) and Natalie Sisson (suitcaseentrepreneur).

Natalie’s challenge encouraged me to write my blog. I created the blog page long ago, however, did not write anything. The challenge has pushed me to create time to write at least one blog a day. I will try to get two blogs a day (a challenge for me!).

Recently, I came across Mariah Coz (Femtrepreneur) who is an inspiration as she has helped women become entrepreneurs in a true sense of the word. I wish to help many people be entrepreneurs.

I have many ideas, discuss them with my better half but do not implement them for the lack of knowledge. However, I will work on it, gain knowledge and begin implementing, no more procrastination.

If I met them in person, I would probably ask for their success mantra (I am catching on slowly). I hope I find my answers someday, somehow, someway. Until then, find your tribe of people who inspire and encourage you each day of your life and achieve all that you wish for.

Time Management Technique for Freelancers

If you are working from home or are a freelancer, you must have felt Short on Time, Burned Out, Lack of focus and Demotivated. Does it sound familiar?

Here is an awesome technique that will get you to be efficient and productive. Before I tell you more on this time management technique let us get a few things straight. Answer these questions:

1. Do you know the tasks you have on hand?
2. Are they prioritized?
3. Do you follow a work schedule?
4. Is the place you work minus all distractions? 

If you have answered any one or all as ‘No’, then get down to fixing them first. Here is what you can do:

1. Create To-do lists of all the tasks/ assignments for the day
2. Prioritize them
3. Write down the time you will work on every assignment
4. The work space must be spacious, clean, clear and minus all distractions. If you are working from kitchen, living room, this is a big distraction. Choose a different work space.

Now the real secret, that you have been waiting for.

Have you heard of Pomodoro Technique?

It is a time management technique was invented by Frances Cirillo in the 1980’s. The technique helps capitalize on time and efficiency. All you need to do is block 25 minutes and focus on work uninterrupted.

A motivational speaker Chris Winfield was able to reduce his work week to 50%, transform his career and balance his life by using the Pomodoro technique.

How you need to do?

1. Choose one task/ assignment
2.  Make a commitment of spending ONLY 25 minutes focused on the task
3. Set a timer for 25 minutes
4. Begin by resolving to accomplish one Pomodoro
5. Take a short break of 10 to 15 minutes. If you are working on a household chore, then just 25 minutes, remember - one Pomodoro session only
6. Add another session when you are ready to complete the task in hand
7. Gradually, up your Pomodoro sessions

You will be able to optimize your productivity and achieve a balance in life. According to Chris - “When your energy is focused on just one thing, then you become more powerful.”

All of this requires you to be disciplined enough. You will find the time to flex your muscles, floss your teeth, exercise five times a week and spend valuable time with your family.

Hope all freelancers will find this technique useful and accomplish more. I have just begun using it and find the need to discipline myself. I say this to all working from home, as there are many distractions. Read my blog on setting up for success.

The technique will keep you more disciplined and achieve everything you want for the day. It will optimize productivity and help you achieve a balance in life.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY6

#10DBC #freedomplan

Finding My Tribe Challenge

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 6

This is a difficult challenge – ‘to find a tribe of my own’. What do I mean by that?

I mean everyone who helps and supports you in your endeavor to achieve the freedom lifestyle. It could be someone you admire. I have been my own strength. My family is my strength.

I do not have any mentors yet. However, I have enrolled for a few emails from NeilPatel (Quicksprout), Darren Rowse (Problogger), Jitendra Vaswani (BloggersIdeas) and Natalie Sisson (suitcaseentrepreneur).

Natalie’s challenge encouraged me to write my blog. I created the blog page long ago, however, did not write anything. The challenge has pushed me to create time to write at least one blog a day. I will try to get two blogs a day (a challenge for me!).

Recently, I came across Mariah Coz (Femtrepreneur) who is an inspiration as she has helped women become entrepreneurs in a true sense of the word. I wish to help many people be entrepreneurs.

I have many ideas, discuss them with my better half but do not implement them for the lack of knowledge. However, I will work on it, gain knowledge and begin implementing, no more procrastination.

If I met them in person, I would probably ask for their success mantra (I am catching on slowly). I hope I find my answers someday, somehow, someway. Until then, find your tribe of people who inspire and encourage you each day of your life and achieve all that you wish for.

My 10Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge – DAY5

#10DBC #freedomplan

My Daily Success Plan – Setting Up For Success

Today is day 5 of the challenge & I totally agree with Natalie about working in the kitchen or living room. Setting up a separate space, that is clean, clear is very important to get your focus. Creating short productive sessions will benefit and set me up for success.

I have often burned out, lost focus, motivation to work due to the workload and working late in the night, not getting enough sleep or no sleep at all.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 5

Coming back to the challenge of creating a daily success plan for a perfect day to improve productivity and efficiency. This is something I need to do more often along with the Pomodoro technique.

Here is my perfect day to improve efficiency and productivity.

According to the perfect day in my life - it begins by waking up early to get some morning exercise and my children ready for school. I create my to-do list after checking my emails. Plan my Pomodoro sessions for the day until lunch time and complete the urgent assignments.

In the evening, after dinner, I can do another Pomodoro session before bed time. This way I can plan my day for tomorrow, squeeze in time for the daily blog posts. Get the sleep I need most to be more focused. I can dive into the day as planned, ready to face the challenges.

I am sure just like me, you have never heard of Pomodoro sessions, working shorter sessions will definitely keep me motivated and not burn me out. This will help me achieve the success I am looking for.

This is my well-planned day to be efficient and productive. Do you have a success plan? Tell me if you use any other technique that makes you more efficient.