Module One: Get Your Head Right

www.imarketing.
courses
www.imarketing.courses
Module One: Get Your Head

Right
Improve your mood, focus, and productivity so that you’re
able to do the work and chase down your dreams.
Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Intro to The Freelance Writer’s Guide

to the Galaxy
Greetings and salutations, fellow writers!
Welcome to The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy . I am so

excited you’re here and I’m hella flattered that you chose to accept
my help in launching your freelance writing career.
I created this course to help aspiring freelance writers to launch

successful and profitable careers.
If you are here, I’m assuming you are someone who loves writing and
wants to leverage your passion and skills to create a sustainable
income and build a life on your terms.
No more commuting to a soul-sucking 9 to 5. No more work tasks

that don’t cater to your real skill set and passion. No more working to
create someone else’s dream.
From here on out, you’ll be taking daily steps towards building your
own dream and doing whatever the hell you want.
1
A little bit about me: I am a freelance beauty copywriter. I make $6k

to $8k per month working fewer than 20 hours per week.
I have used that income to travel all over the world as a digital
nomad and to buy my own house in my native Ohio. My clients
include Olay, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Milani.
If all of that sounds intimidating, what if I told you that my

depression, anxiety, and fear of failure and rejection kept me from
pursuing my dream of freelance writing for years?
That I tried and failed to launch my freelance writing career twice

before I got my shit together and made it happen for real on my third
try?
What if I told you that I was so in debt from my attempts at making

my dreams come true that I had to leave my life in Los Angeles and
move in with my parents for 8 months?
That one of my first writing jobs paid a measly $25 for 2500 words?
I am here to tell you what is possible. If I can do it, you can do it. I
am not special.
When I began freelance writing, the only thing I had going for me
was an English degree.
Even if you don’t have an English degree, even if English isn’t your
first language, you can still have a successful freelance writing
2
career that lights you up with meaningful work and allows you to
design a life you love.
I have distilled the lessons I have learned from the trials and errors
of running my freelance writing business to create this
comprehensive course.
My mission throughout this course is not just to teach you the ins
and outs of launching and running a freelance writing business.
I am also going to show you how to get your mind right so that you
stop procrastinating, stop feeling overwhelmed and fearful, and
start taking massive action on your goals.
This course combines info with action. We’re not just going to talk
about what you should do. I’m going to give you all the info, and then
tell you the exact steps you need to do to make progress on your
goals.
As far as timing goes: it may take you anywhere from three months
to one or more years to complete this course. Why? Because this
course walks you through the entire freelancing journey, from
creating your first portfolio to the freelancing endgame where you
start your own agency.
You deserve for your dreams to come true. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
There may be plenty of freelance writers out there, but there’s no
one who brings your specific skills and background to the table. The
world needs content more than ever, and we need YOU to make it!
Ready? Let’s begin.

3
Instructions
To get the most out of this course, listen to each module, then put
the actionable steps into play.
Do not sleep on the actionable steps! You must do the work if you
want to succeed.
Some steps are daily habits that you’ll need to develop over time.
Other steps are one-time projects. Some steps are only necessary
once you get to a certain point in your career. Don’t worry.
I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do and when to do it as we go.
To make sure that you follow through on these steps, buy a planner
and write down when you will do them .
If you don’t like using pen & paper, try a digital to-do list like Asana.
As you check off each task, you will gain more momentum towards
reaching your goals.
I am so proud of you for taking the first step in your freelance

writing journey and committing to this course. This shows that you’re
committed to your goals and open to learning how to accomplish
them.
4
But fear still rears its ugly head, am I right? When you’re chasing
your dreams, fear can show up as:
● Procrastination (i.e. completing tasks that won’t help you

achieve your goals)
● Avoidance (i.e. spending 3 hours on Tiktok rather than doing
the work)
● Imposter Syndrome (“Why would anyone pay ME to write for
them?”)
● Research Overwhelm (i.e. spending all your time researching
and none of your time actually doing)
So that’s what this module is all about.
We’re going to get your head right so you’re set up for success. The
steps in this module will improve your mood, focus, and productivity
so that you’re able to do the work and chase down your dreams.
Let’s get started.
5
Lesson One: Prepare Your Workspace
Before you get started, you need to create a small space that will be
dedicated primarily to your freelance writing business.
Similar to how creating a nursery helps new parents mentally

prepare for having a baby, building your workspace will help
mentally prepare you for your new venture.
Creating a workspace also signals to the Universe that you are

serious.
You are no longer wishing on a star. You are taking real, physical
steps towards your goal, and the Universe will respond by bringing
new opportunities your way.
Additionally, having a dedicated writing space minimizes the

physical barriers that may prevent you from working, which in turn
makes it easier for you to develop a healthy work habit.
Finally, sitting down to your workspace will become an important

part of your writing routine that signals to your brain that it’s time to
focus and get stuff done. (But more on that later.)
6
Ideally, your workspace will be in a quiet area with a door that

prevents outside interruptions. However, most people don’t have
space for a separate home office and that’s okay! You don’t need
anything fancy.
Stephen King wrote his first novels inside of a closet on a typewriter

balanced on his lap!
This is all you need for your dedicated workspace:
● A small work surface. This could be a desk or a table. You

don’t need to buy one! Ask friends and family members if they
have an old table they no longer need. Take a stroll around your
neighborhood on garbage day and see if anyone has put a desk
out on the curb. Look on Facebook Marketplace or the
Nextdoor app. Once you start looking, a free table will
magically appear.
● A comfortable chair. Ideally, you will use a desk chair that is

designed for long periods of sitting. Your back will thank you.
Trust me, you do not want to sit in a wooden chair at the
kitchen table for long periods. You need to be comfortable to
put in the hours necessary to launch your career. If you need to
take frequent breaks and lie down because your current chair
is leaving your back sore and your butt numb, it’s time to
upgrade. However, a decent office chair can be had for cheap
or even free. Just use the same steps as you did to find a work
surface!
7
● A way to block out interruptions. Some people can work with

the TV blasting or the sounds of a Mariachi band in the park
outside their window. However, most people will do their best
work when they can block out the outside world. If your new
workspace doesn’t have a door, invest in noise-canceling
headphones or simple earplugs.
● A computer with an internet connection. You don’t need a

fancy computer to be a freelance writer, but you do need a
reliable computer and a way to connect to the internet. If you
don’t have a computer, ask friends and family if they have an
old one they are no longer using. You can also purchase a
refurbished computer relatively inexpensively from Amazon or
other authorized dealers.
● A fan or a space heater (optional). You will be sitting in this

spot for a long time, so please make sure you’re comfortable! If
your home is warm, have a fan nearby. If you run cold, get a
space heater or a blanket!
● Any decorations that make you happy! When you feel good,
you have more energy and do better work. So whether it’s a
plant, a vase of flowers, a framed photo of your family, or a
Justin Trudeau calendar, add some personal touches that will
make you feel happy to sit at your workspace for hours at a
time.
8
And that’s it! As I said, you don’t need a home office. All you need is
a small space in your home dedicated solely to your work.
And just so you know that I practice what I preach, my “desk” is

actually a vanity table that my mom gave to me and my computer
chair was given to me by my dad.
I use a refurbished 2015 Macbook Air that I bought on Amazon in

2018 for $500. I don’t have room on my desk for decorations, but I
work in front of a window where I can see my best friend’s house.
Now I have a home office, but I used to work in the basement at my
parents’ house.
You can create great things with humble beginnings!
9
Lesson Two: Write Down Your Mission

Statement
Now that your workspace is set up, it’s time to write down your
mission statement.
This is your WHY.
Why do you want to be a freelance writer? How will achieving this

goal change your life?
Maybe you want to quit your job because you hate your boss. Maybe
you want to work from home so you can spend more time with your
family. Maybe you want to develop a location-independent career so
you can travel more.
Whatever it is, write it down! Then tape it onto the wall where you
will see it every single day as you work. When the going gets tough,
you can refer to your mission statement to remind yourself why you
started in the first place.
10
Lesson Three: Create a Writing

Routine
We all know about Pavlov’s dogs, right?
Ivan Pavlov was a physiologist who experimented with different

forms of conditioning. In his most famous experiment, he rang a bell
every time he fed his dogs. Over time, the dogs associated the bell’s
ring with eating.
Eventually, whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would drool in

anticipation of food even if there was no food in sight.
If you think this doesn’t work on humans, consider this example:

growing up, I watched Seinfeld every day while my parents made
dinner. To this day, the bass line of the Seinfeld theme makes me
hungry.
You can condition yourself to focus and write by following the

same writing routine every day.
Over time, this will signal to your brain that it’s time to start
typing and get those words on paper.
For example, I like to work in my home office while sipping tea and
listening to music (this is my favorite focus playlist). It doesn’t matter
what you do, as long as you’re consistent.
So your next assignment is to develop your writing routine and to

make sure you have the supplies on hand to put in place. Will you
drink lemon water as you work?
11
Buy some lemons. Will you listen to jazz? Get a playlist together.
Once again, we are doing everything in our power to make it easy
and comfortable to work.
The only absolute requirement for your writing routine is that you
silence your phone. If possible, put your phone in another room
entirely. Work time is for work, not for responding to notifications!
You also need to create a work schedule. Having set hours will
signal to your brain that it’s time to work. When will you execute your
freelance writing tasks?
If you are side hustling, block out time on your calendar in the
morning, evenings, or on the weekend.
If you are planning to freelance full-time, feel free to choose the

hours of the day where you are most productive. That’s the beauty of
freelancing! If you’re a night owl, you can write all night long if you
want. Can’t wake up early? You don’t have to! You can start working
at 1 pm if you want.
However, there is one caveat: you need to have at least a few hours
that overlap with your clients’ work hours.
If you live in the United States and you want to work with American
clients, make sure that you have some hours that overlap with the
typical 9 to 5 workday on both the East Coast and the West Coast. If
you live in India but want to work with clients in the United Kingdom,
you’ll want to adjust your hours accordingly.
Me? I usually work from 10ish in the morning to 5ish in the evening
Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Thursday. I typically take
12
off an hour for lunch. I like these hours because they allow me to
schedule calls with clients in the United States and Europe, but I also
don’t have to get up early.
Whatever your schedule, make sure that you stick to it! Commit to
sitting down at your workspace and work your set hours.
13
Lesson Four: Develop (a Couple of)

the 8 Habits of Success
This section is all about daily habits that will help you develop a
healthy, positive mindset that allows you to overcome fear and
self-doubt.
A positive mindset will also make you more resilient and help you
push forward when you have setbacks.
Please keep in mind that all of these habits are optional. You
probably have commitments that prevent you from working on all of
these habits at once and that’s totally fine.
Just try to pick up at least one or two of these habits in the next few
weeks. Choose whatever fits your lifestyle! You will be amazed at
what a difference they make.
#1: Put Your Phone Down
I could probably write a book about how your smartphone is messing

with your brain chemistry and your life, but I’ll try to keep this short.
● All those little dings and notifications on your smartphone

release dopamine, the “pleasure chemical” that’s also
responsible for gambling addictions. It’s no wonder that
so many of us are addicted to our phones. Developers
learned how to make their apps so addictive by studying
casinos!
14
● Your smartphone damages your attention span. Every

time you break focus to check a text or respond to a
message, it takes you several additional minutes to get
back into the groove.
● Looking at other people’s curated social media feeds can

make you feel bad about your own life and situation. As
they say, comparison is the thief of joy.
● Most importantly, you are probably spending way more

time looking at your phone than you realize. If you feel like
you don’t know where you will find the time to work on
your freelance career, I invite you to check out the screen
time reports on your phone! According to The Guardian,
people spend an average of three hours and fifteen
minutes looking at their phone EVERY DAY. Honey, that’s
a part-time job!
I’m not saying that you need to throw your phone into a river and go
live in the woods. After all, there are also many positive things our
phones can do for us, like allow us to listen to music, learn Spanish,
and call our moms.
However, I do ask that you make it a goal to use your phone less.
Look at how much you used your phone in the past week. Now try to
cut that in half for the next week. You will feel more balanced, more
present, and like you have so much more time to devote to the things
that matter to you. I promise!
15
If you’re struggling, find out which apps you’re spending the most
time on and set limits on their screen time. I have to set 30-minute
limits on Instagram and TikTok. Better yet, just delete the most
addictive apps off of your phone!
#2: Start Meditating
How many times have you heard that you need to start meditating?
But it’s true! Here’s why meditation is so clutch:
● Meditation reduces stress and improves your ability to

cope with stress.
● Meditation improves your focus so you can get more stuff

done more quickly.
● Meditation improves your mood, increasing feelings of

happiness, and decreasing feelings of irritability.
● Meditation makes you less reactive to negative feedback.
● Meditation may reduce symptoms of depression and

anxiety.
In my experience, the main benefit of meditation is that it helps you

to learn more about how your mind works. Instead of spending your
days reacting to what’s going on around you, you learn to observe
how the outside world affects you and then respond mindfully and
purposefully. It’s the difference between flipping someone off after
they’ve cut you off in traffic and taking a deep breath and moving on
with your life.
16
Meditating is exercising for your mind and helps your mind work
more efficiently for longer periods. You’ll also feel better in general.
Plus, it only takes 10 minutes per day to develop a healthy meditation
practice, so why not?
So how exactly does one meditate? There are countless ways to do
it.
Typically the recommendation is that you sit in a comfortable

position and focus on your breathing. When your mind begins to
wander, catch it, then gently nudge it back to focusing on the breath
again. That’s meditation in a nutshell.
Struggling with meditation? Here are some ways to make it work

for you:
● Listen to guided meditations (I like this Youtube channel

and this Spotify playlist).
● Play meditative music to help you focus.
● Keep a notebook next to you as you meditate. When your

mind wanders, write down your thoughts. This will help
clear them out of your head and allow you to focus (this is
what I do and it works like a charm).
#3: Practice Gratitude
I bet you’ve also heard about a million times that you should practice
gratitude. But there is a reason for that! The universe has been trying
to tell you that practicing gratitude will completely change your life.
17
Gratitude changes your perception. Not to get too metaphysical on

you, but nothing that you see is real. What you see is your perception
of reality, and there’s a huge difference between those two things.
Unfortunately, many of us have a negative perception of the world

around us. When we look around, all we see is what is WRONG. And
because we’re so focused on the negative, we miss the opportunities
that the Universe is trying to give us. Plus, focusing on the negative
makes us feel bad.
On a less “woo-woo” level, practicing gratitude makes you happier,

more positive, and in general more pleasant to be around.
Gratitude also makes you more resilient and less prone to stress.
You’ll be able to see the good in so-called “setbacks” and move on
more quickly.
It’s also really easy! All you need to do is think of three things that
you’re grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big things. You
can be grateful for a sunny day, a hot steaming mug of tea, or even
Oreo McFlurries.
The important thing is that you think of three different things

every single day!
#4: Get Outside
Buddy, you need to go outside sometimes. It’s a common trap for

self-employed workers to spend all day indoors, eyes glued to their
laptop screens. But for your mental and physical health, you need to
spend a little time outdoors each day.
18
These are some of the benefits of spending time outside:
● Sunshine raises your vitamin D levels, which can help

ward off depression.
● Outdoor light raises your serotonin levels, which makes

you feel happier.
● Being outside can improve your memory and

concentration.
● Getting some fresh air helps relieve feelings of anxiety

and stress.
● Outdoor light helps regulate your internal clock, which

allows you to follow healthy sleep patterns.
And you don’t need to go on a 6-mile hike to get the benefits of

spending time outdoors. Just spending 20 minutes walking around
your neighborhood will make you feel better.
I can hear the naysayers now! “But I live in a cold climate!” So do I! I

have a simple rule: I go on a walk every day as long as there is no
precipitation and the temperature is above 20 degrees Fahrenheit
(-6 degrees Celsius). Get you some long underwear and get out
there!
As my grandma used to say, “Get outside and get the stink blown
off of you!”
19
#5: Make a Connection
If you’re making the switch from office life to working from home as
a freelance writer, you’re also going to feel lonely at times. Like,
seriously lonely. When I began my career, I would wait like a dog for
my roommate to get home.
A strong social support system is critical not only to keep you

happy but to help you get through times of stress. So make sure
that you continue working on keeping your social connections alive
and well.
A few ideas:
● Call a buddy while you’re out on a walk (two birds with one
stone, right?).
● Make friends with other freelancers in your community

and meet for coffee/coworking dates.
● Fill up your off-hours with other social engagements. Now

that you're not getting your social fix at the office, you’ll
probably need to spend less time on the couch after work
and more time out with friends to feel like you’re getting
enough connection in your life.
Be proactive. I have a reminder on my calendar to organize my social

calendar every Wednesday. I know it’s dorky, but it helps me make
sure that I am maintaining my relationships and growing new ones!
20
#6: Take Care of Your Body
Thus far, these habits have all been about keeping your mental
health and attitude in check. Your physical health also has a huge
effect on your mental health, so it’s important to take good care of
yourself.
First of all, make sure you’re sleeping enough!
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults sleep for 7

to 9 hours each night. If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, try
these strategies:
● Lower the temperature in your home at night. Most sleep

research agrees that 65 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18
degrees Celsius) is the ideal temperature for good sleep.
● Wear an eye mask and earplugs to prevent light and

sound from waking you up.
● Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day (yes,

even on the weekends).
● Start to wind down at least 30 minutes before bed by

dimming the lights, turning off your phone, and practicing
a relaxing activity like reading, journaling, or meditating.
● Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol or eat a heavy meal right

before going to bed.
Another important aspect of your health is what you eat.
21
A healthy, balanced diet supplies your body and mind with all the
nutrients you need to feel energized and focused. You probably
already know that you should eat a diet with lots of veggies, whole
grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, right? But like, how do you
actually DO that?
For many people, intuitive eating works very well. On a surface level,
intuitive eating is just eating when you’re hungry and stopping when
you’re full. It’s tuning in to your body and learning how to follow its
signals, rather than feeling the need to “finish your plate” even if
your body is saying you’re done.
I’ll be fully transparent: at this point, I can’t eat intuitively. When left
to my own devices, I’m at McDonald’s every day.
So the trick for me has been to use a meal planning app. Meal
planning apps calculate how much you should eat daily, then create
a meal plan for you to follow. I use MealPrepPro, which I love
because it makes it SO easy for me to eat healthily.
I go to the grocery store once per week (the app generates a grocery
list for you), cook all the meals on Sunday, and then I have lots of
yummy food in my fridge or freezer that I can munch on while I work
all week long.
The last piece of keeping your physical and mental health in check is
breaking a sweat from time to time. As Elle Woods said, “Exercise
gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” Besides making
you happy, exercise reduces stress, improves your sleep, and
increases your self-esteem and self-confidence.
22
Now, I’m not talking about running marathons here (although if you
do that, that’s great!). Exercise can be anything that gets your heart
rate up and causes you to break a sweat.
That could be walking your dog, playing Just Dance with your kids, or
going to a pilates class with friends. Being able to exercise is a
privilege, not a chore. Make it fun!
According to Harvard Medical School, adults should aim for 15 to

30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Make it a part of
your daily routine and start moving!
#7: Write Daily
Writing is a skill, and as with any skill, practice makes perfect.

That’s why it’s so important to write every day of your life. Even if you
don’t have clients yet, you need to keep your hand in the game and
keep writing to improve your skills.
I suggest spending at least 30 minutes writing every day.
Need some ideas?
● Keep a journal. Write about your life and how you feel.
● Start a personal blog and publish blog posts regularly.
● Publish articles on Medium or LinkedIn.
● Write guest posts for other publications.
23
#8: Keep Learning
The last habit is to make sure that you are incorporating education
into your daily routine. I truly believe that the best way to learn is
through books. It doesn’t matter if you use e-books, audiobooks, or
good old-fashioned paper books. Books are the way to go!
Aim to read 10 pages of non-fiction every day. For aspiring freelance

writers, I recommend reading personal development books as well
as books on marketing and your niche (we’ll learn about niches later).
Here are a few books to get you started:
Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy
You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth
by Jen Sincero
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into
Triumph by Ryan Holiday
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by
Cal Newport
If you’re struggling to find a time to read, here are a few options:
● Read before bed as a way to help you relax.
● Read in the morning while drinking your coffee instead of

scrolling through Instagram.
24
● Listen to audiobooks while driving in the car, taking walks

in your neighborhood, or cleaning your house.
25
Lesson Five: How to Build Habits

As I said, you don’t need to take on all of these habits at once.
I recommend choosing just one or two that sound the most

appealing to you and working to develop those habits until they
come to you naturally. Then, if you want, you can work on developing
another one.
Popular belief states that it takes 21 days to build a habit, but that’s
not true. According to a study published in the European Journal of
Social Psychology, it takes an average of 66 days to develop a new
habit. However, for certain individuals, that number still varies
wildly. The study found that some subjects developed a habit in as
few as 18 days, while others took 254 days.
That may sound overwhelming (254 days?!) but I find this to be a

hopeful message. If you have ever tried a new habit and couldn’t
make it “stick” past 21 days, there is nothing wrong with you! You
probably just needed some more time.
So how do you stick with a habit long enough to make it

unconscious? Here are some tips:
● Keep a visual tally. Hang a calendar on your wall and mark off
each day you do your new habit with a big X. Then don’t break
the chain! Once you get a few X’s under your belt, that
momentum will help carry you through.
26
● Set a reminder on your phone. If your new habit is a task you

need to do every day, decide what time you’ll do it, and create
an alarm to remind you.
● Use an app. I use Done, which is a simple, colorful, and very

satisfying way to track all your habits.
● Tie the new habit to an existing habit. For example, you can
read while you drink your morning coffee or count your
blessings while you brush your teeth.
If you mess up and miss a day, it’s okay.
But I want you to ask yourself why you messed up. This will help you
develop strategies that prevent the same mistakes from occurring in
the future.
For example, I noticed that I was waking up way earlier than I wanted
to every day because the morning sun was so bright through my
bedroom windows. I bought an eye mask and now I sleep right
through the sunrise.
27
Module One: Actionable Steps

To-Do (finish these before moving onto the next module!):
Prepare a dedicated writing space. Remember, you don’t need

anything fancy. A small table in a quiet corner will do.
Write down your mission statement and display it proudly at

your workspace.
Develop a writing routine. Decide on a work schedule, and

create a series of physical signals that tell your brain it’s time
to focus.
Set screen time limits on all social media (no more than 15
minutes per app).
28
Daily Habits (choose one or two to work on in the coming

weeks):
Meditate for 10 minutes.
Write down or think about 3 things for which you are grateful.
Write, even if you don’t have any client work yet.
Eat enough food.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, aiming for 7
to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Spend at least 20 minutes per day exercising or outdoors.
Have a conversation with another human being.
Read 10 pages of an inspirational or educational book.
29

Module One: Get Your Head Right

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Module One: Get Your Head Right

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

www.imarketing.

Module One: Get Your Head

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Intro to The Freelance Writer’s Guide

Greetings and salutations, fellow writers!

Welcome to The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy . I am so

I created this course to help aspiring freelance writers to launch

No more commuting to a soul-sucking 9 to 5. No more work tasks

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

A little bit about me: I am a freelance beauty copywriter. I make $6k

If all of that sounds intimidating, what if I told you that my

That I tried and failed to launch my freelance writing career twice

What if I told you that I was so in debt from my attempts at making

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Ready? Let’s begin.

I am so proud of you for taking the first step in your freelance

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

● Procrastination (i.e. completing tasks that won’t help you

So that’s what this module is all about.

Let’s get started.

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Lesson One: Prepare Your Workspace

Similar to how creating a nursery helps new parents mentally

Creating a workspace also signals to the Universe that you are

Additionally, having a dedicated writing space minimizes the

Finally, sitting down to your workspace will become an important

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Ideally, your workspace will be in a quiet area with a door that

Stephen King wrote his first novels inside of a closet on a typewriter

This is all you need for your dedicated workspace:

● A small work surface. This could be a desk or a table. You

● A comfortable chair. Ideally, you will use a desk chair that is

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

● A way to block out interruptions. Some people can work with

● A computer with an internet connection. You don’t need a

● A fan or a space heater (optional). You will be sitting in this

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

And just so you know that I practice what I preach, my “desk” is

I use a refurbished 2015 Macbook Air that I bought on Amazon in

You can create great things with humble beginnings!

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Lesson Two: Write Down Your Mission

This is your WHY.

Why do you want to be a freelance writer? How will achieving this

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Lesson Three: Create a Writing

We all know about Pavlov’s dogs, right?

Ivan Pavlov was a physiologist who experimented with different

Eventually, whenever he rang the bell, the dogs would drool in

If you think this doesn’t work on humans, consider this example:

You can condition yourself to focus and write by following the

So your next assignment is to develop your writing routine and to

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

If you are planning to freelance full-time, feel free to choose the

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Lesson Four: Develop (a Couple of)

#1: Put Your Phone Down

I could probably write a book about how your smartphone is messing

● All those little dings and notifications on your smartphone

Module One © The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy

● Your smartphone damages your attention span. Every

● Looking at other people’s curated social media feeds can

● Most importantly, you are probably spending way more