Winging it Won’t Work: The Disciplined Road to Freelance Flexibility
Why discipline is a key quality for medical writers seeking more flexibility through a freelance career.
There's a powerful discourse in the medical writing community about the flexibility and freedom to be found as a freelance writer.
And I get it. I’ve been a freelance CME/CE writer for almost 20 years.
The irony is that cultivating freelance flexibility requires discipline, whether in a full-time job or managing freelance projects.
The allure of flexibility and freedom as a freelance medical writer is powerful. But as you might have already realized, as you make the transition into your freelance medical writing career, achieving that sought-after flexibility isn't as simple as kicking off your shoes and writing when inspiration strikes.
Discipline is the backbone of freelance flexibility.
But the idea of discipline has its skeptics.
Discipline Can Be a Dirty Word in Freelance Work
Whether you're recalling stern schoolteachers or Foucault's thesis on disciplinary practices as instruments of power and control, the concept can evoke a lot of resistance (hah, get it?. If you're into Foucault you will. If not, it's too tortuous to unpack—but here's a recent article on power and resistance in leadership that does a pretty great job).
What are some of those objections?
1. Stifles Creativity: Maybe you see discipline as antithetical to the free spirit of creativity. Isn't the magic of freelancing to be found in those unplanned moments of inspiration?
2. Too Regimented: Setting boundaries and specific work hours can seem too much like a "corporate leash" for some. Isn't freelancing, with its promise of autonomy and the ability to work remotely, supposed to be the escape from that?
3. Power Dynamics: Ah, here's Foucault's jam, applicable in contexts ranging from traditional job settings to the dynamics of freelance jobs. His theories on disciplinary practices (in which I immersed myself for many years as the foundation of my doctoral work) highlight how discipline can be a form of institutional power, shaping us into "docile bodies." But freelancing is all about pursuing the independent spirit in us all versus becoming cogs in the post-industrial machine of late capitalism.
4. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): The stricter you are with your schedule, the more likely you are to miss out on spontaneous opportunities—whether it's a last-minute client or an impromptu social event.
5. Negative Psychological Impact: For some, the term "discipline" evokes memories of punishment and restriction. Implementing discipline in your freelance life might feel like you're denying yourself the pleasures and spontaneity that drew you to freelancing in the first place.
But here's the thing. Discipline is the backbone of flexibility.
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Discipline is the Backbone of Your Freelance Medical Writing Business
Think about your spine. A strong spine supports flexion, extension, and rotation in your body. To establish a strong spine, you need to actively practice movements that stretch and strengthen the muscles of your spine and core. When you intentionally engage in practices that stretch and strengthen your spine, you are doing the one thing that your body needs to carry your weight, propel you forward, and bear the burden of standing upright and bending over.
Discipline works this way too.
In Stoic philosophy, discipline is seen as a way to cultivate inner tranquility. It allows one to remain unfazed by external circumstances and focused on what can be controlled: One's conduct and attitude.
Discipline is a practice. Daily Stoic writer Ryan Holiday writes that discipline empowers us to face challenges with a constructive mindset. Discipline is not just an act of willpower, but a holistic approach involving reasoned decision-making, emotional resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning. Discipline is an active practice that helps us to thrive amidst adversity.
Discipline is really about doing the right thing at the right time. Over time, this right thing (what Gary Keller calls selective discipline) becomes a habit. Habit is, as James Clear notes, the one thing that creates results and helps us achieve success.
When you make discipline part of your freelance business, it empowers rather than restricts you and helps you align your work with your freelance aspirations.
Let's break it down.
Why Discipline is Necessary for Self-Employed, Independent Professionals
1. Time Management: Unlike a traditional 9-to-5 employee (a diminishing category of worker), as a freelance medical writer you must allocate time for client meetings, research, writing, and looking after your business (e.g., bookkeeping, accounting, marketing). When you develop time discipline (eg, time blocking), you are using selective discipline to build a habit that will help you meet deadlines and juggle your responsibilities effectively, leaving you space to say yes to the unanticipated fun stuff.
2. Quality Control: A disciplined approach to research and fact-checking is non-negotiable for medical writing, where evidence-based information is vital. Put systems in place that help you find, sort, store, and retrieve information quickly and efficiently. Use Notion, Google Sheets, Evernote, or ClickUp as support systems.
3. Client Relationships: Discipline helps in setting boundaries, managing expectations, and maintaining professional decorum, all of which are essential for long-term client retention in freelance jobs. By the way, if you need support and strategies to help you review and reset client relationships, consider joining WriteCME Pro, a professional development membership for freelance medical writers who are growing their CME/CE writing businesses.
4. Self-Care: Irony alert for those transitioning from traditional employment to freelancing! Freelance medical writers often overlook their personal well-being. A disciplined mindset ensures you carve out time for yourself, reduce the potential for injury, and prevent burnout.
5. Financial Stability: Finally, discipline extends to financial management. As income may be irregular for freelancers, disciplined budgeting and saving are key to surviving dry spells that do sometimes occur.
So how get started with discipline? Here are 6 suggestions.
Six Practices for Cultivating the Flexibility Freelance Allows Through Discipline
1. Batch Processing: Designate specific time blocks for certain tasks. For example, reserve Monday mornings for client communications, Tuesday afternoons for research, and so on. This frees up mental space and adds structure. Anne Jacobson talks about time blocking in Season 2 of the Write Medicine podcast.
2. Daily Planning: At the start or end of each day, take 10-15 minutes to jot down your top priorities for the next day. A focused task list can make your workday less overwhelming and more productive.
3. Time Buffer: Always add a time buffer for unexpected tasks or emergencies. This could be 30 minutes a day or a few hours a week. This cushion enables you to deal with the unexpected without unraveling your schedule.
4. Automate and Outsource: For repetitive tasks that don't require your specialized skills, use automation tools or delegate them. This frees up your time and mental energy for more critical tasks only you can perform.
5. Regular Review: At the end of each week or month, review what worked and what didn't. Reflecting on your work process helps you refine your methods, leading to better discipline and, consequently, more flexibility.
6. Wellbeing. Find freedom from the jibber-jabber in your head by practicing techniques that support wellbeing. Breath-based meditation, mindfulness practices like journaling, and gentle movements like walking or yoga will help to down-regulate your nervous system and manage stress.
By implementing these discipline practices, you'll find that the flexibility and freedom associated with freelancing become far more attainable and sustainable.
Now You Can Enjoy Flexibility Through Freelance CME Medical Writing
Discipline is key to building a thriving freelance career that offers you financial stability, freedom with your time, and a profound sense of wellbeing. If you’re an aspiring freelance medical writer, WriteCME Pro is here to help you on your journey. Enjoy one-on-one mentorship, peer support, and personalized guidance on the technical and practical aspects of CME writing from someone who’s made the transition from full time employment to freelancing. Learn more about how WriteCME Pro can help your freelance medical writing journey today.
If you are keen on honing your CME/CE writing skills and becoming a better medical writer, consider getting support from an expert guide. Here are some resources that can support you as you embark on your career as a CME writer:
→ Join WriteCME Pro, a CME-specific, skills-based membership for CME writers who are ready to create CME content with confidence.
→ Listen to the Write Medicine podcast or watch our YouTube channel for weekly best practices in creating content that connects with and educates health professionals.
→ Subscribe to the Write Medicine newsletter for tips, tools, and tactics to help you create CME/CE content with confidence