Whether you are a full-time freelancer or freelancing part-time, it’s essential to approach your time and work wisely. The most successful freelancers have long developed their own set of rules and routines that help them work efficiently.
Here are 10 tips you can apply to your work every day to grow, practice, and become a better freelancer. It's important to understand that your daily workflow is just another tool that helps you on your path to success.
1. PLAN YOUR DAY
A good workday starts with a plan. What exactly are you going to do today?
Plan your work hours and create a list of tasks to complete. Structure how your work will unfold. You can save a lot of time throughout the week by planning your workday, client meetings, and other everyday tasks. Additionally, grouping work and personal tasks will help you stay more organized.
Then visualize your plan. As a designer, this is something you should be great at. Start with the phrase “Today I will...” and continue with what you’ll be doing. Saying it out loud will help you familiarize yourself with the tasks and start moving toward your goal.
2. CLEAN YOUR INBOX 
Start your day by checking your email and cleaning up your inbox. Before panicking, consider that every message falls into one of three categories.
There are other types of emails as well, such as spam (delete those immediately), or offers and information you want to keep. Create a dedicated folder system to store emails that might be useful later so they don't pile up in your main inbox.
3. SET GOALS AND STICK TO THEM
When working in an office, your personal and career success usually depends on a set of long-term and short-term goals set by your manager. As a freelancer, you have to manage this on your own. And while this may resemble planning, it’s actually different. There are two types of goals:
Daily goals – these are things you intend to do each day and are different from tasks because they don’t always help complete a specific part of a project. Daily goals can include exploring the work of other designers or updating your portfolio.
Future goals – these represent your long-term vision. Where do you want to be in five or ten years, and how do you plan to get there? This could involve expanding your services, acquiring a new specialization, or even making a major purchase. Don’t forget to spend a moment each day reflecting on these goals and what you need to do today to move closer to them.
4. STAY UPDATED 
The worst thing that can happen to a freelance designer is getting stuck in a rut while the world keeps moving forward. You need to stay informed about trends, technologies, tools, and what's happening in the design world.
Train yourself to read more or study the work of other designers. You can also participate in webinars, marathons, or workshops. Try to explore new areas of your profession and adjacent fields. Remember, web design isn’t just a profession—it’s an entire field that keeps evolving.
5. DEVELOP CLIENT COMMUNICATION
Respond to all client emails and calls daily. Don’t delay when dealing with real people. Postponing these interactions is not the right approach.
Also, don’t forget to set an out-of-office reply when you’re away from your work environment. This lets clients know you’re currently unavailable.
Quick responses show you care about your clients. It adds a personal touch to your work and sets you apart from others. Clients will feel valued and respected.
6. TRACK YOUR WORK TIME 
How much time do you spend on work compared to other distractions? Track your work hours. You might be surprised by the results.
Many freelancers tend to get sidetracked by other activities – social media, personal emails, phone calls with friends. Try tracking the time spent directly on work and projects to better understand your actual working hours. You may find that:
Working less than you thought may cause problems, while working more might reduce your profitability. If you're spending more hours on work, you might actually be earning less than you should. Think carefully: are your rates aligned with the time you spend on a project?
7. WORK IN YOUR OWN SPACE
Not all freelancers have the luxury of a full home office, but you should still have a designated workspace with all the tools you need within reach. It will make you feel more comfortable and boost your productivity. Plus, you’ll waste less time getting distracted.
Once your workspace is set up, train yourself to work a set number of hours each day. Treat freelancing as if you’re working for someone else. Dedicate work hours solely to work—don’t mix them with personal life if it can be avoided.
8. TAKE BREAKS 
If you think spending more time in front of your computer means earning more or getting more done, you’re wrong. Freelancers, more than anyone, need breaks and rest. Otherwise, you risk exposing yourself to severe stress.
Take short breaks during work—not to check social media or email, but to stand up, walk around, do some chores. Even just grabbing a coffee or tea helps. And don’t forget about healthy, quality sleep. Your body and brain both need rest to stay productive.
If you’re like me and tend to get so immersed in work that you forget everything else, a simple alarm can help remind you to take a break.
9. MANAGE YOUR FINANCES
When you’re juggling multiple large and small projects, it’s easy to lose track, especially with finances. Train yourself to check: have all invoices been sent? Did you create an estimate for that client? Have you received payment?
Again, take time to assess whether the time spent on a project matches the agreed fee. Maybe you need to revise your pricing, update your rate sheet, or even run a small discount campaign and inform your clients.
IN CONCLUSION
As a freelancer, you are your most valuable asset. Everyone works differently and has their own idea of success, but the fundamentals of freelancing remain the same. It’s a delicate balance between personal and professional life, time management, and an efficient workflow—these are all essential.