People working regular hours in a company often feel like they barely have enough time on their hands. It often seems as if their personal life suffers, thanks to work hours and the daily commute. The desire to spend more quality time with loved ones is one of the reasons why people opt to work from home or become freelancers.

Freelancing is very popular nowadays, because it allows people to earn money their own way from the comfort of their own homes and still lets them have enough to time to spend pursuing their interests. And it does seem like an ideal setup. It always amazes people how freelancers work and are able to set their own hours. However, this setup can only work if the freelancer really sticks to a daily schedule.

If you’re a freelancer, you know that working at home has many perks. Not only are you working in a place in which you're really comfortable, but you are also avoiding traffic jams on the road. It offers plenty of distractions, though, from countless chores you might think of doing, errands you will need to run, your bed which will invite you to take a break and get some sleep, and of course, TV. How can you possibly have time to work? The key is proper time management and settling into a routine.

1. Have your to-do list ready. This will give you an idea what activities you will need to do for the day.

2. Make a daily schedule. Sound too much like going to an office? You're going to need it if you're freelancing. Allot time for errands, chores, exercise, and work. Since you're working from home, you're free to run errands and get them out of the way before you start working. That way, you can focus on your tasks. Allow yourself an hour for exercise or a walk just to relax and regroup. Scheduling your work hours will keep you organized and prevent you from working late into the night finishing projects you were unable to complete during the day.

3. Wake up early. If you wake up at noon, half your day would have gone past and with it your chance to finish some of your tasks. It can also be a problem if your clients contacted you in the morning. Waking up early means you have more time to do everything at hand and gives you time to unwind at night.

4. Don't work at night. All your loved ones are usually at home in the evenings and it's the best time for you to really spend time together. Don't let your work get in the way. Besides, working at night could wear you out and leave you too tired to tackle the next day's projects.

5. Don't stay out too long. Naturally, you wouldn't want to stay inside your house all the time. You would want to catch a movie, do a bit of shopping, visit the library, or eat out for lunch. The key is moderation. Don't stay out longer than you should. If you have a project due that day and you start hearing your conscience telling you to get back to work, just do it. Imagine how much more fun you can have when a project is all wrapped up!

Being a freelancer may seem like you’ll be living an easy life, but it actually takes a lot of work. You may have more freedom to take on assignments you’re really interested in, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a lot of free time. Enjoy your new working hours, but don’t forget that you also have work to do. Managing your time wisely can help you strike the perfect balance.