How do we juggle client work, outreach for new business, meetings, other to-dos and personal writing and branding – all while keeping the flexibility that drew us to consulting in the first place?
If you’re expecting all the answers, I don’t have them. But I did get some good input from my colleagues in the Comms Consulting Collective during our monthly call, which was focused on – you guessed it – time management.
(I guess I’m doing something right. I was able to prioritize making time for that call, which is always helpful – and a good group of people.)
One of the skills I’ve found most valuable in my consulting work is estimating how long projects will take.
This is important for several reasons.
1. Clients can depend on you.
It’s a common question: Can you have this done by [insert date]? If you say yes, you had better be prepared to deliver. Knowing how long the project should take allows you to say yes with confidence. Then you build a reputation for being prompt and reliable.
2. It makes scheduling easier.
If time management were easy, we wouldn’t need Google Meets to learn how to do it better. Every little bit helps. Setting aside blocks of time to finish projects gives you a head start on getting your calendar in order.
3. You can take on more work.
When opportunities arise, will they work with your schedule? If you’re fortunate to have a lot on your plate, you need to understand if something new will fit into your existing workload.
4. You can set prices accurately.
This isn’t as important if you charge by the hour. But if you charge a flat fee for a service or a project, knowing the effort involved will help you set the price where it needs to be.