When life feels overwhelming, it is time to return to bullet journaling.
The Problem
I have felt lost for the last couple of months. On the one hand, I have so many responsibilities to my (extended) family. On the other hand, I have a financial target I want to hit personally. My schedule, my mind, and my bank account are in a chaotic state.
If you still think that freelancers have so much freedom that they can do whatever they want, trust me, they don't!
This is what people are not usually aware of.
First, unlike office workers, freelancers do not have a boss who tells them to come to the office at 7 and return home at 5 (or other rigid timing designed by their leader). However, they still need time to work. Especially, for a freelancer working in a creative industry, the AHA-moment time is the time very much awaited. This is the time when all energy is poured into creating the best product. Creative workers can work hours without leaving their desks as long as the inspiration is still flowing.
And people who don't understand, thinking that any work can be done at any time, interrupt.
"I am sorry, but do you know that returning to work after an interruption takes up more energy? It is like restarting everything all over again." Actually, I could have just neglected the interruption. Unfortunately, I couldn't. I couldn't decline this responsibility because I know I am the only one in the family who could do it. I try to be 'a good person'. Declining is not morally true.
I half-heartedly accepted. I accepted all the consequences that follow, with a half-sad heart. Don't worry, I am okay with it.
Second, when you start a business, it takes time before the business bears fruit. Sometimes you even need to give all your time, energy, money, and focus to building that business, but the result will only be shown after several years. It is the same for a person who starts freelancing. That person is actually building a service business for her/himself.
However, people would just assume that I am simply 'unemployed'.
At one moment, my nephew told me, "It is good to be you. I go to school. Uncle goes to work. You are at home sleeping." I felt offended. I might not earn as much as his uncle yet, but I still could have bought him yogurt with my own hard work. I didn't say anything. I thought I should have bought him yogurt at that moment, even if his pocket money is much greater than my monthly earnings.
I once protested to my mother, why would people distract me from working on my own. They keep asking for my help to the point that I couldn't work on mine. My mother said, "Because you look available. If you don't seem available, people wouldn't ask you for help."
Well, that makes sense.
The Action Plan
It's no use crying over spilt milk. My mind is in chaos because my schedule is filled with too many expectations. My account balance has plummeted to the floor. I must save it as immediately as I can.
So, here is the action plan.
1. Reduce as many distractions as possible.
Limit the use of social media, including WhatsApp. If people think it is really urgent, they would call, not just text.
Clear out the calendar to only essentials. Limit any gathering to the very-very-very important ones.
2. Prioritize what is important.
Right now, maintaining cash flow is important. Focus on the stream that gives the highest revenue.
This is the holiday season, almost the beginning of the new academic year. This month, my second-hand book-selling business is predicted to get the highest sales. My digital product for exam preparation is also currently in high demand. Last year, I published them for free. This year, I want to include several unique sets of questions and charge them for a price.
Just in case, you are interested in my products, please see 'Products & Services' above.
3. Publish what I do
4. Use Bullet Journal to stay focused
I mean the minimalist bullet journal as how it was invented by Ryder Carroll. Not the fancy, artistic, flowery, doodle-y kind of bullet journal.
I have used the Bullet Journal Method since July 2018. I can proudly say I am one of the early adopters of bullet journaling. I can't believe it was already eight years ago. But throughout those times, I used it in many different ways, depending on how I needed it.
And sometimes, I don't need it. That's when my mind was at its clearest state.
Right now? I guess I need it to stay focused.
I am currently using A6 Hobonichi 5-year Techo. I am happy that it only offers very limited space, so it wouldn't allow me to add too many items each day. I will only need 3 bullets. One is for the urgent task I need to do for the house. One for a reminder to promote the second-hand books I sell. One is for creating extra sets of questions for the exam prep modules.
See Also 5 Ways to Increase Focus While Working Remotely
How Bullet Journal Keeps Me Away From Distraction
The Bullet Journal works on a very simple rule. Write a dot for a task. A dash for anything else (an event, a passing thought, an emotion). Some people also have different symbols, but I like to keep it simple using these two.
Anytime I open the journal, I will do the topmost task. Whenever I complete the task, I turn the dot into a cross. Then I move on to the next dot below it. Each day I try to cross all the dots. However, if I cannot finish the task, I change the dot into the ' > ' sign and move the task into the next day's dot.
I honestly get distracted quite easily. So, I always keep the book open, so I can see and be reminded of what I should have been working on instead of doing non-prioritized activities.
Each day, I usually can finish 3-4 tasks. But sometimes, if the task is too big or I get distracted a lot, I can only finish one. At the end of the day, I review my work, say 'Alhamdulillah' for the opportunities Allah has given me to get the work done, and write the dots for the next day.
The Hope
I don't know how long I will need to do this. I am just hoping I will immediately get back to financial stability while still freelancing. I am praying to God, please make me survive this month and the months after. And maybe an umra as a bonus, please?
Endnote: I am sorry for several words I wrote as bold. I was just too emotional when I was writing this. I hope you can still enjoy it.
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