Flexibility and Time Management

Nothing ever goes as planned. Well, rarely. 0:00 Whether you're a freelancer or working in-house somewhere, 0:04 you can't guarantee that you have complete control over your schedule, 0:08 resources, project scope, or any other variable that affects your work. 0:11 The real world is going to throw obstacles in your way, so adapting to the environment is how you survive. 0:17 What truly defines success in these cases is the ability to remain flexible and still get the job done. 0:24 Learning how to properly manage your time makes this possible. 0:31 With many jobs, your hours are defined for you, 0:36 so working with your team or boss to prioritize your tasks and projects allows you to focus on the right things first. 0:39 It creates expectations for them and for you, and it makes getting work done a lot easier. 0:47 If you're a freelancer, time may seem unlimited, but we all have lives to lead. We can't work every waking hour on our projects. 0:53 There's got to be a balance, and prioritization is even more vital when nobody's telling you what to do. 1:01 You have to ensure that things get done on your own. 1:08 In both cases, in a company and as a freelancer, it's crucial to define a schedule and task list for yourself. 1:14 Even if all you can do is come up with what you're going to work on that day, 1:21 at least you have a direction to start with and something to work on. 1:27 Maintaining your focus is key. 1:30 Now, at any given moment, something might happen to interrupt things. 1:34 New projects, new crises, and changes to existing requests, 1:38 they can and will arise. The first thing to do evaluate the importance of this new information. 1:42 Does it delay you in any way? Can you work around it or do you have to take care of something first? 1:49 Once you've decided what to do, spread the word. Make sure everyone is on the same page 1:55 and that those affected by change are aware of it and understand why. 2:01 This brings us back to our effective communication point. 2:07 Don't leave stakeholders wondering where a project deliverable is. 2:10 People would rather get honest and direct information than be left guessing where their website or app is. 2:14 Over time, the more projects you work on, the better you'll become at adapting to change. 2:22 In doing so, you can gain a reputation as someone that can work under pressure, 2:28 can adapt to variable situations, and can get results. 2:33 So, how does flexibility and time management benefit you? 2:37 Flexible workers can do more than inflexible ones, and they'll be offered more opportunities. 2:41 Being able to set realistic expectations on your work allows you to focus and achieve a work-life balance. 2:48 Your value as a worker, freelancer, or team member will be increased 2:55 if people know that you can manage time and expectations effectively. 2:59