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At One With The Chair: Writers And Exercise

Freelance-Zone Editor, Catherine L. Tully
Freelance-Zone Editor, Catherine L. Tully

by Catherine L. Tully

Ever since I’ve been writing it has been a continuous challenge to fit exercise in during the day. Granted, I do it anyway, but it isn’t easy.

Let’s face it–writing isn’t exactly an active profession. Physically, that is. Writers sit in the chair for hours, clicking and clacking away, with precious few breaks, save hitting the bathroom and getting lunch. It’s easy to let the activity dwindle until you aren’t doing much at all.

How are you doing on this front? Do you find time to be fit?

Joe takes multiple walks during the day and has a mini trampoline in his house. (Secret is out now Joe–sorry!) I head to the gym during the day (and usually one evening a week for a looooong workout) and take a total break from writing-related thinking to blast out some cardio on the elliptical or do some weights. I also have a weight bench and free weights at home that I use a few times a week.

So where is this post going, you may ask….well….I’m here to tell you the secret to maintaining a fitness routine, despite all the hours of “chair time”… Continue reading At One With The Chair: Writers And Exercise →

advice, Freelance Forecast survey, resources

Top 5 freelance client deal killers

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top 5 deal killers

Last time, we discussed the top 5 qualities a freelance client is looking for, so this week, let’s take on the flip side: opinions on the top 5 freelance client deal killers; i.e., the dreaded “most frustrating qualities in a freelancer.” Here’s your top 5 from Freelance Forecast 2010:

  1. Unreliable/unavailable
  2. Didn’t follow assignment
  3. Quality of work
  4. Missed deadlines
  5. Surprise charges/overcharges

Any surprises? Let’s hope not.

To find some of the specific client hot buttons, Freelance Forecast also asked: “What is the ONE mistake or personal quality that would ruin a freelancer’s opportunity to work with you again?” Most of the answers were derivative of the above list—unreliable, blown assignments, poor work. But some of the other responses were instructive: Bossiness…not open to new ideas…lying…deceptive behavior…plagiarism…surprising me in any way…stealing a client from me…unwillingness to make it right…backing out at the last minute after agreeing to do the job…treating me poorly because I work for a government agency…flaking…misrepresenting their ability.

It comes down to this: What was true of the positive freelancer qualities is even more true of the negative ones: Every single item is completely or almost completely under your control. It’s a lot of responsibility, but you’re just the person for the job!

Father’s Day note: I owe a lot to my dad for inspiring me into a life of self-employment, and “Father’s Day musing: Is entrepreneurship genetic?” captures a few of my thoughts as we head into what’s been a bittersweet holiday for the past decade.

Freelance-Zone contributor Jake Poinier is the founder/owner of Boomvang Creative Group and Dear Dr. Freelance.