When I started my business as a freelance writer in August, I established several rules to keep me on track. As my business approaches its six-month anniversary, I’m sorry to say I’ve been a bad girl with some of those habits, but I’m keeping up with others.

1. HABIT LOST — Empty Email Inbox
   Way back when I swore that I would keep my Inbox empty every day. As of this morning, I have 208 unfiled emails in the box, dating from 11/29 (although that one doesn’t count because it was D.J.’s first note to me the morning after we met. Let’s call that one sentimentally uncatagorizeable).
2. HABIT KEPT — Thank You Notes
   I write notes to potential clients who spend time talking about a project to me as well as clients who sign on.
3. HABIT LOST — Afternoon Naps
   Boy was I hoping I would be able to keep this habit. Sigh.
4. HABIT KEPT — Answering the Phone
   Because I know that the only way to get work is to answer the phone when work calls, I still make answering the phone right away and at all times the highest priority.
5. HABIT LOST — Writing Proposals and Invoices on Time
   Even though most of my proposals only take 15 minutes or so, I avoid them like I do Wal-Mart on a Saturday.
6. HABIT KEPT — Not Eating All Day Every Day
   I solved the problem of eating cupcakes for breakfast by eliminating all food from my work area. My work area is, of course, also my living room, so now my fridge looks like this.
7. HABIT KEPT — Keeping Up with My Blog
8. HABIT LOST — Keeping Up with Other Bloggers’ Blogs