You didn’t start your consultancy to be trapped behind a desk or stuck managing endless to-do lists. You started it for freedom - freedom to choose your clients, control your time, and create your ideal lifestyle.

Yet here you are - busier than ever, spinning plates, chained by the business you built for freedom. Fortunately, reclaiming your freedom doesn’t require drastic change. It’s simpler than you think.

Here are three proven habits you can adopt immediately:

1. Get one week ahead, then four and twelve

Ever scrambled to finish something important last-minute? It’s stressful, exhausting, and avoidable. Here’s a personal confession: I’m writing this newsletter just before it needs to go out. The cost? My early-morning swim (although I made it 😊) and progress on other projects.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine starting your day calmly, knowing important tasks are already handled. Getting ahead creates breathing room. Your freedom lives in the space between tasks, not buried under them.

I've even developed a simple framework to consistently get ahead on regular tasks - you can check it out here.

2. Master your business rhythms

Freedom loves structure. Yes, really.

Your regular activities (like this newsletter landing in your inbox every Friday at 8:45am) need clear rhythms. Rhythms eliminate guesswork.

Apply this to every recurring task: marketing, invoicing, and client calls. Define your rhythm, schedule it, then automate or delegate. You’ll create predictability, reduce stress, and build more time for yourself.

Rhythms aren’t restrictions - they're guardrails that keep your freedom intact.

• You know exactly what to do and when.
  

• Your clients know exactly what to expect.

3. Set daily targets to eliminate overwhelm

Targets can feel restrictive. If you feel they are, the trick is to view them as guideposts, not fences.

Let’s say you want 4 new clients per month. Without a clear daily action target, this goal becomes overwhelming. Break your monthly goal into daily actions. For instance, aiming for 4 new clients per month could look like this:

• 1000 messages (50/day) → 200 responses → 20 calls → 12 opportunities → 4 clients

Now your goal isn’t abstract, it’s a clear daily task. Falling behind? No problem. Your roadmap is simple and clear.

The bottom line

Freedom isn't accidental. It’s a strategic by-product of three things: getting ahead, setting clear rhythms, and defining actionable targets.

Start small. Stay consistent. Freedom follows.

Your turn

Which habits help you stay free in your consultancy? Message me on LinkedIn with what's working for you.