Freelancing Like a Grown-Up

There's an inherent tension in my work. As a creative person, I love to explore new ideas, start new things, and meet new people. But as a freelancer, I'm responsible for my entire tiny business, including following through on every commitment I make. Follow-through is key to reputation, and reputation is key to business development. And business development is key to, well, eating—among other pleasures I'll categorize as "not running out of money". Without a system for keeping track of my commitments and projects, I would be awful at follow-through.

Thankfully, I found a system that works for me. I've recommended David Allen's Getting Things Done to countless friends and acquaintances. I've practically yelled it from atop the Arch. But just in case someone hasn't heard me going on about it, here's the book I couldn't work without, now in its revised edition. 

Allen's system, abbreviated "GTD", works with pen and paper just fine. But if you're into software like me, max out your geekiness with OmniFocus, a well-executed application that brings GTD to life on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. I described the way OmniFocus handles GTD Contexts in an older post.