How to balance your freelancing schedule

I spent the first few years of freelancing in a constant cycle (and maybe you know it, too):

Buried in client work → Project ends → Panic → Scramble for next client → Repeat.

For a while, I thought that was just "freelancing."

16 years in, I can tell you for certain that it’s not. 

Turns out, I was just really bad at scheduling…

My breakthrough came when I stopped treating my schedule like a to-do list, and started treating it like a business operating system.

Now my default schedule guarantees I'm doing 2 things daily:

1. Business Development

2. Client Delivery

Why?

Because without number 1, you have no predictability, sustainability, or scalability. 

And without number 2, you have no money.

So, I’ve structured each day to include both by using a block schedule.

That way my day is proactive, not reactive.

And I’m making time for the work that builds my business, not constantly getting stuck in the “urgent” work.

So here’s what that looks like:

Morning – Business Development

In the morning, I start with my own business. 

This means diving into outreach, updating my portfolio, creating content, or checking in with past clients. 

I rotate specific business development tasks so that I’m moving forward in different areas consistently – Mondays might be focused on client outreach, Wednesdays on content, and so on. 

This structure keeps me on track and allows me to build momentum without burning out.

Lately I've optimized my schedule even further by prioritizing a different business development task each day, so that I can get more nuanced with each.

For example: I only take meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I can do deep and uninterrupted work on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Afternoon – Client Work

After I’ve spent my morning on the business, I dive into client delivery. 

This is my dedicated, focused time to really give clients my best without distraction. 

I block out this time to ensure that I’m meeting deadlines, but also to allow for creativity and flow without the constant tug of admin tasks (that’s for the AM!).

With this schedule, I know at any given time what I’m supposed to be doing and what I’m not allocating my attention to…for now.

Having a schedule foundation like this has honestly been the single biggest game-changer for my sanity and growth.

If you're stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle and working on your schedule → 

Start by adding one 30-minute block of business development to your day. 

That consistency will be a game-changer for your business. 

Best, 
Jamie

Here's how I can help accelerate your freelance success:

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