Freelance writers and other online entrepreneurs are perpetually faced with quite the conundrum. Because we can work at any given hour of the day, we oftentimes feel like we should be working at every given hour of the day. This is the slippery slope toward burnout, because it can difficult to find yourself completely off-duty. Work is always on the mind.

As I’m sure you realize, your work should not dominate your life. It’s important that you take part in different leisure activities. It’s important that you find enjoyment in your hobbies, especially those that are not directly related to what you do for a living. These pleasure activities are just as (if not more) important than your work-related activities. They deserve your time.

Making Time to Have Fun

While freelancers enjoy a certain level of freedom, we still have to get our work done. We may have to book appointments to meet with our clients. We may be faced with pending deadlines, forcing the issue of getting a particular project done on time. These kinds of items easily find their way into our calendars.

If you find that you never have enough hours in the day and it seems like you are working yourself to the bone, it might be in your best interest to schedule some leisure time. Determine a time when you would like to just relax and mark it on your calendar. This “appointment” or “meeting” bears just as much weight as any other appointment or meeting. Don’t let your leisure time get bullied. Your time is your time.

Good Planning is the Key

Some people seem to think that freelance writers and online entrepreneurs enjoy an incredible level of freedom, being able to leave work at the drop of a hat. This may be true for some individuals, but for the rest of us, proper leisure time requires some planning and preparation. It was because I pre-wrote some of the work for the day that I was able to attend Dot Com Scooter Gang (pictured above). It was because I planned ahead that I could go out to Langley to ride (and crash) a Segway.

If you are having a hard time finding life-work balance and can’t seem to find the time to relax and have fun, try scheduling your “spontaneous” leisure time. And stick to that appointment. This also works for people with regular jobs as well; book out that time in Outlook so that you can attend your daughter’s dance recital. She’ll love you for it.