When something seems to take a lot of time, it’s usually not the doing that takes forever; it’s the deciding to do.
A few hacks:
If you’re going to read an email. Commit to responding to it then and there, otherwise don’t open it until you can.
If you’re assigned a task you know will take a few hours, then immediately invest 15 minutes in starting it right after being assigned. Those 15 minutes will be enough for you to discover if you have all the pieces you need to actually complete the task when you sit down to do it.
If you’re trying to find time in your calendar to work on a task, then you have time to start the task. Swap searching for starting.
If you’re going to take action (or not), but sure to reflect on it at the end of the day. You’ll find that you feel more fulfilled at the end of days you put the work in than when you mull around with the decision to do the work or not.
An assignment may be tasked to someone else or you might be asked to step down, but responsibility is self-assigned.
If you want to be responsible for making things better but you’re not invited to the meeting, create your own.
If someone with a bigger title says “they’ll take it from here,” you don’t have to stop taking action, following up and keeping it moving the best you can.
Sure, there are times that you will have to pivot because of outside forces, but don’t confuse that with them taking the responsibility away from you.
Most of the time, my rate is $130-$150 an hour. It doesn’t matter what I’m freelancing – if it’s writing, consulting, concepting or speaking.
I charge that much for two reasons:
It enables me to make slightly more than whatever cost is associated with the task.
It enables me to give more value than what my time is priced at.
While the first point is important for cash flow, what matters most is the second point.
At any given point, the person you’re working for may be asking themselves if you’re worth the money they’re paying you. And the best way you can determine their conclusion is to put yourself in their shoes.
Would you pay you for that hour of your time that you’re charging them?
If the answer is no, it’s time to either lower your rates or increase the value you bring.
A quick tangent: You can work with the buyer to determine how you can provide more value. It’s not about working harder or putting more hours in than what you’re charging for; it can be as simple as asking questions about what your client or customer finds valuable and about what can make their life easier. You can increase your value by adding to the relationship and by building trust. Yes, still build better things, but double the value of those by building connection, too.
Stay Positive & Time For A Price Increase Perhaps?