Tell us a bit about you!

Hi I’m Hayley Wintermantle, based currently in the UK but moved around the world a few times! I’m a coach, facilitator and career catalyst who challenges unfulfilled individuals to discover who they are, what lights them up so that they can find the role or business that maximises their strengths and allows them to make their true impact.

How long have you been freelancing, and why did you start?

November 2014 although always knew it’s the route for me, just had to find the strength to make the final leap!

[themify_quote]Often my inspiration comes just before bed… When creativity sparks I grab it!”[/themify_quote]

Let’s talk about the start of your day – are you an early riser, or a night owl?

A bit of both really. Some days I like a little lie in, especially as often my inspiration comes just before bed. However I tend to be most productive either super early in the morning or last thing into the small hours… let’s just say I go with the flow! When creativity sparks, I grab it!

Do you work from home?

Yes or coffee shops, friend’s homes as I travel as much as possible, that’s why I created a 100% online business so I can work from anywhere. I’m not a fan of routine and get seriously itchy feet!

What’s your working routine before you start work?

Always meditation! 15 minute sourcing meditation which clears my mind and really focuses me for the day. Then I list out what I want to get from the day, not just work-wise but really how I want to feel and the actions that will get me there.

[themify_quote]I list out what I want to get from the day, not just work-wise but really how I want to feel and the actions that will get me there.”[/themify_quote]

Do you take a lunch break?

I love a good lunch break. After living in France and Italy for around 5 years I’ve come to appreciate the importance of a long lunch. Cooking and preparing it relaxes me and so refreshes me for the afternoon, which is easily my least productive time!

How do you tend to spend your afternoons?

Trying to be productive!

How do you keep motivated? Do you have any particular techniques?

I always make sure that I’ve got non-business related things in my day, whether that’s exercise, learning Italian (which I get for everyone may not sound like fun!) reading, meeting friends, etc. That way I’m focused when I’m working and using the other parts of my brain when I’m not! Oh and music, the louder the better!

Tell us – what’s your favourite thing about freelancing?

Freedom, flexibility and that I get to work with the people who believe what I believe.

And your least favourite thing about freelancing?

Sometimes you can feel alone so it’s key to keep checking in with people who support you and can help in those hair-pulling moments.

Where can we find you online?

http://www.hayleywintermantle.com

Super excited to be launching an online programme to help those stressed out, frustrated and stuck in mediocrity discover what lights them up and find work or a business that allows them to make their impact in the world.

Want to take part in the Day In The Life Of A Freelancer series? Simply fill in this form! 

Tell us a bit about you!

I’m Kate Goldstone, a Brighton-based freelance writer.

How long have you been freelancing, and why did you start?

I’ve been freelance for 9 years, since 2006. I started because throughout my 15 year direct marketing career I always disliked working with people. I hate all that ‘negotiating skills’ and interpersonal stuff. But I love working alone – I never get lonely or bored.

[themify_quote]I love working alone – I never get lonely or bored.” [/themify_quote]

Let’s talk about the start of your day – are you an early riser, or a night owl?

I’m boringly average. I start at 9am and finish at five, just like an ordinary office. I never work long hours.

What time do you start work?

9am

Do you work from home?

Yes

What’s your working routine before you start work?

Grab a cuppa, switch the PC on and I’m off…

Do you take a lunch break?

No, I’m at my working best between 10am and 3pm and because all I do is sit on my ass all day, I don’t work up an appetite.

How do you tend to spend your afternoons?

Working…

How do you keep motivated? Do you have any particular techniques?

I’m lucky – I’m naturally motivated.

What time do you tend to sign off for the day?

5pm at the latest. If I finish at 3, I shut down the PC and go do something different: a walk with my SEO Consultant husband, gardening, painting a picture, cleaning the house…

[themify_quote]If I finish at 3, I shut down the PC and go do something different.” [/themify_quote]

Tell us – what’s your favourite thing about freelancing?

Not having to deal with colleagues, subordinates and bosses.

And your least favourite thing about freelancing?

Nothing. I love it – every second of it.

What tools/apps/gadgets/things could you not live without as a freelancer?

My PC, but otherwise that’s it. Oh… and Radio 4 as intelligent background noise.

Where can we find you online?

Twitter: @KatieGoldstone1

I also use LinkedIn and G+. But I reserve Facebook for friends and family only, not for SMM.

The Big Question – What’s the secret to your success?

Natural motivation plus a natural love of being on my own.

Want to take part in the Day In The Life Of A Freelancer series? Simply fill in this form! 

Tell us a bit about you!

My name is Ben Hammond. I’m a Consultant Solicitor based in Newbury. I buy and sell houses and apartments in London and properties all across all of the counties of England and Wales.

How long have you been freelancing, and why did you start?

I went freelance at the beginning of September 2014. I have had my own practice before so it wasn’t a total shock but I was coming away from the comfort of a salary and a good-sized law firm.

[themify_quote]I like to be in the office at 8.00 a.m.  I feel that it gives me a head start on the day.” [/themify_quote]

Let’s talk about the start of your day – are you an early riser, or a night owl?

Sometimes as a lawyer you have to be both. It’s about being available to your clients when they need you. Fortunately in my area of practice I’m unlikely to get a call in the middle of the night.

What time do you start work?

I like to be in the office at 8.00 a.m.  I feel that it gives me a head start on the day.

Do you work from home?

Yes when I need to, but I deliberately chose to work from an office. I live in a very remote and rural location and the broadband connection is too slow as most of the things I do now as a lawyer are internet-based. I also like to have the differentiation between home and work life.

What’s your working routine before you start work?

Generally I’m up and out from home. The only pause is to try to start the ancient Land Rover that takes me into work.

How do you tend to spend your afternoons?

I used to have a colleague who used to keep back all of his plan-drawing until a Friday afternoon. He’d finish his lunch, take out his pencil crayons and spend a happy afternoon drawing coloured lines all over maps. I’d love to be able to think that I could do that, but generally I keep report-writing for the afternoon as e-mail traffic tends to die down a little.

How do you stay motivated? Do you have any particular techniques?

Fortunately I’ve hit the ground running so there’s no time to have to worry about keeping motivated!

What time do you tend to sign off for the day?

I tend to leave for home between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.  As the nights draw in I miss the sunset over one particular part in the Downs on the drive home.

Tell us – what’s your favourite thing about freelancing?

The freedom and the increased financial rewards. Although I’ve enjoyed managing teams in the past, when you work on your own you realise how much time you used to spend on managing others.

[themify_quote]When you work on your own you realise how much time you used to spend on managing others.”[/themify_quote]

What tools/apps/gadgets/things could you not live without as a freelancer?

I use Kashflow for my accounts. It’s simple to understand and use.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me on LinkedIn or http://www.setfords.co.uk.

The Big Question – What’s the secret to your success?

I think that many people coming into the workplace think that there’s some magic formula but I find that it’s always down to hard work and putting in the time.

Want to take part in the Day In The Life Of A Freelancer series? Simply fill in this form! 

Tell us a bit about you!

I’m Catherine Ross, Director of Planet PR, based in Horsham, West Sussex.

How long have you been freelancing, and why did you start?

I started freelancing in August 2011 after taking voluntary redundancy from an in-house role. Redundancy also came on the back of my second round of maternity leave, and having a baby and a preschooler at home was always going to make going out to work tricky.

Let’s talk about the start of your day – Are you an early riser, or a night owl?

I’ve never been an early riser – though I often wish I was. On the occasions when I do get up early, I tend to spend the time getting myself, the house and the children ready for the day ahead. Breakfast, packed lunches, laundry, washing-up, writing cheques for school trips. I try to remain present as a parent while the kids are with me. I have childcare in place for when I’m working.

What time do you start work?

Work starts post-school-run. So around 9am.

Do you work from home?

Yes, and we’re just about to move house, where I’ll have my own, dedicated office for the first time. At the moment I work in the living room, which is fine, but makes it difficult to draw the line between home life and work life. My new office is going to be the key to a new, more productive, more organised me….no, really.

What’s your working routine before you start work?

It’s a whirlwind of coaxing children to eat their breakfasts, brush their teeth, put on their clothes and generally get ready to go out. I like to think of it as an opportunity to hone my negotiating skills and people management. When I get back from the school run, I get ready to start work.

Do you take a lunch break?

I always try to. It depends how busy I am, When the weather’s nice, there’s more of an incentive to take a break and sit in the sunshine for half an hour.

How do you tend to spend your afternoons?

It depends what I’m working on. I do a lot of writing, so afternoons are good for getting my head down. The biggest risk with being a freelancer and working from home is that once I sit down, it’s easy to not get up again until the end of the working day. I try to get out for a walk or bike ride every so often and if the weather’s bad I’ll change into my PE kit and do a workout DVD. Jillian Michaels is the best!

[themify_quote]I love what I do, so getting it done rarely feels like a chore.”[/themify_quote]

How do you motivated? Do you have any particular techniques?

It’s often said that money isn’t a motivator, but as a freelancer, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid, it’s as simple as that. As a result, money is a pretty good motivator. It also helps that I love what I do, so getting it done rarely feels like a chore.

What time do you tend to sign off for the day?

It’s usually dictated by what time the kids need picking up. Monday-Wednesday I finish just after five, Thursdays and Fridays I finish at three, so we have some family fun time during the week.

Tell us – what’s your favourite thing about freelancing?

The flexibility it gives me. I decide my hours, what work I do and when I do it. It’s fantastic. Last week my son had a school trip, so I gave myself the day off to go with them. I can make time to meet a friend for coffee or, if I’m having a quiet week, I might sneak out for an afternoon wandering around the shops.

And your least favourite thing about freelancing?

The lack of financial security. Sometimes the desire to receive a regular wage is very great, especially at the moment, with the house move just around the corner. I’m getting better at acknowledging that I will have busy periods and quieter periods and at making the most of the quiet times.

[themify_quote]Have laptop, will travel” [/themify_quote]

What tools/apps/gadgets/things could you not live without as a freelancer?

My smartphone is pretty much an extension of my hand, whether it’s updating social media on behalf of a client, checking emails or searching for information, I couldn’t be without my Samsung. Beyond that, l keep things pretty simple. Have laptop, will travel.

Where can we find you online?

Say hello on twitter @planetpr_uk and to find out more about what I do, visit http://www.planetpr.co.uk

The Big Question – What’s the secret to your success?

Always be nice to people. As a freelancer, I never know where my next piece of work will come from. I tend to believe that if you’re good to people, they’ll be good to you. So far it seems to be working.

Want to take part in the Day In The Life Of A Freelancer series? Simply fill in this form!