Freelance Friday Newsletter: The Right Way to Set Priorities

Hello Freelancers,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Freelance Friday! Today, we’re focusing on a crucial skill that can make all the difference in your freelance journey: Mastering Priority Setting.

With so many tasks vying for your attention—client projects, administrative work, marketing your services, and maintaining work-life balance—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The key to staying productive and avoiding burnout is learning how to set priorities. Here’s how you can master priority setting to boost your freelance success:

1. Use the Eisenhower Matrix

One of the most effective tools for prioritization is the Eisenhower Matrix. It divides tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:

• Important and Urgent: Do these first.
• Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these for later.
• Urgent but Not Important: Delegate or minimize time spent on these.
• Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminate these tasks if possible.

2. Set Clear Goals

Before you can prioritize effectively, you need to know your goals. Whether it’s growing your client base, launching a new service, or improving work-life balance, having clear goals helps you stay focused on what matters most.

3. Focus on High-Impact Tasks

The 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Identify the tasks that have the most significant impact on your business—whether it’s client work, marketing, or business development—and make them your top priority.

4. Create a Daily Priority List

Each morning (or the night before), write down the top three tasks you must complete that day. Focusing on just a few key tasks prevents overwhelm and ensures you make steady progress.

5. Batch Similar Tasks

Grouping similar tasks together, such as responding to emails or social media posting, helps you stay in the flow and avoid constantly switching between different types of work. Batching tasks improves efficiency and saves time.

6. Learn to Say No

Not every opportunity is worth your time. Politely decline low-priority tasks or projects that don’t align with your long-term goals. Saying no helps you protect your time and energy for what matters most.

7. Schedule Downtime

It’s easy to prioritize work above all else, but scheduling regular downtime is essential for long-term productivity and well-being. Make self-care, exercise, and hobbies part of your weekly schedule to recharge and maintain balance.

Famous Quote of the Week

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Special Offer

To support your priority-setting journey, we’re offering a special discount on my book, "The 7 Figure Freelancer." Use the link here to purchase it at a discounted price.

Let’s set our priorities straight and take control of our freelance businesses!

Best, Michael Fleischner