Journal For Freelancers - How a Journal Transforms a Freelance Work

https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-freelancers

Ever feel like your freelance freedom comes with a side of organizational chaos? You're not alone. That magical independence to set your own hours and choose your projects brings an unexpected challenge: creating structure when there's no boss or system holding you accountable.

In this deep dive, we explore a surprisingly powerful solution to the freelance organization dilemma—the dedicated journal. But we're not talking about any random notebook. We examine journals designed specifically for freelancers, with features that transform scattered workflows into productive systems. Quality journals like Lestallion offer thick pages that prevent ink bleed-through, durable covers for daily use, numbered pages for easy reference, and built-in tables of contents that turn a simple notebook into a searchable archive of your work life.

The science is fascinating—physically writing engages different brain parts than typing, potentially enhancing memory, creativity, and focus. We share real success stories, like the overwhelmed editor who regained control by dedicating journal sections to each client, and the developer who created a physical command center that complemented his digital work. We explore practical applications across creative fields—from writers tracking pitches and deadlines to designers capturing concepts and marketers mapping campaign strategies. Beyond daily task management, consistent journaling becomes a strategy for long-term growth, helping you spot patterns in your productivity and build sustainable freelance practices.

Ready to transform your freelance experience? Consider what you might start tracking in a dedicated journal today. Your future organized self will thank you.

Other Episodes

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/17102713-journal-for-imposter-syndrome-the-science-of-journaling-through-imposter-syndrome
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/17109549-journal-for-breaking-bad-habits-how-journaling-breaking-bad-habits
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/17109551-journal-for-manifestation-and-law-of-attraction-the-magic-of-journals-for-manifestation-and-law-of-attraction
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/17109553-journal-for-job-seekers-how-journal-leads-to-job-seekers-success

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today we're diving intosomething that well, I think,
touches pretty much everyfreelancer out there.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh yeah, what's that?

Speaker 1 (00:08):
How to stay organized and you know productive when
you're essentially your own boss.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Ah yes, the classic freelancer dilemma.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
Right, that amazing freedom, setting your own hours
picking projects.
It's fantastic, but also meansyou have to create the structure
.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Exactly.
You're managing everything,maybe a fluctuating workload,
trying to keep all thosedifferent threads from getting
tangled.

Speaker 1 (00:33):
It's a real paradox, isn't it?
The independence that draws youin can also be where the
organizational headaches start.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Without that traditional office framework,
freelancers are suddenly wearinglike 10 different hats.
Creator.
Admin, accountant.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
All while trying to feel like you've got it under
control.
Precisely so for this deep dive, we really wanted to zero in on
a tool that a lot ofexperienced freelancers really
rely on to bring some order tothat chaos.

Speaker 2 (00:59):
Okay, I'm listening.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
The dedicated journal .
And look, we're not justtalking any old notebook off the
shelf.

Speaker 2 (01:03):
Right, there's a difference.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
Yeah, think about journals designed specifically
with freelancers in mind, youknow, the ones built to actually
last, with features thatactively help you organize your
work.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
Like, what sort of features?

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Well, I'm thinking of notebooks like Lestallion.
Lots of freelancers I knowreally rate them for their
quality.
Like the pages are thick, soink doesn't bleed through.

Speaker 2 (01:25):
Oh, that's crucial.
Nothing worse than messy notesyou can't read.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Totally, and the covers are durable.
You know they have to be ifyou're using it every single day
.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
That makes sense For a freelancer.
That journal is often groundzero for vital info.
If it falls apart, it's useless.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
Exactly so.
Our kind of mission today is toexplore how, using a really
well-designed journal,especially one with features
like, say, numbered pages and atable of contents- Things you
see in Lestallion notebooks.
Right how those features cangenuinely be a game changer for
how freelancers manage theirwork and, you know, boost their
productivity.

(02:00):
Okay, I can see that.
Yeah, it reminds me actually ofmy cousin.
He's a freelance photographerand he was constantly losing
client details, shoot schedules.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
Scribbled on random scraps of paper.
You know the drill.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
The sticky note nightmare.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
Totally.
He knew he desperately needed abetter system, just to keep his
head above water.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
That feeling of scattered information.
It's such a common pain pointfor freelancers.
It really is the feeling ofscattered information.
It's such a common pain pointfor freelancers.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
It really is.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
The whole nature of the work right Multiple clients,
different projects happening atonce.
It just leads to feelingoverwhelmed by loose ends.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
Which brings us right back to that core problem.

Speaker 2 (02:42):
The unique kind of disorganization that freelance
life can sometimes well breed.
Mm-hmm Things like timemanagement, that lack of a set
daily structure.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
And the workload.
Sometimes you're swamped, othertimes it's crickets.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
And creative blocks.
Can't forget those.
They can just derail everything.

Speaker 1 (02:54):
And the sources we looked at.
They really highlight how thesearen't just small annoyances.
They can seriously lead toburnout.

Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah, or procrastination that tanks your
deadlines.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
Which then impact your income.

Speaker 2 (03:06):
And that financial uncertainty.
It just makes having anefficient workflow even more
critical.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
It's not just about getting tasks done.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
No, it's about building something stable,
sustainable.

Speaker 1 (03:19):
Which is where this idea of the journal becoming a
structured productivity system,that's where it gets really
powerful.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
Right, it stops being just a notebook.

Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah, it becomes more like a strategic hub for your
entire freelance business.

Speaker 2 (03:31):
Okay, bring that down .
How does that work in practice?

Speaker 1 (03:33):
Well, think about it One single place for all your
work stuff.
What we found is that actuallywriting things down, physically
writing, Pen to paper.
It does more than just recordstuff.
It actually sharpens your focus.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
Engaging your hand, your brain.
That way it seems to cutthrough the mental clutter.
You know when you're juggling10 things in your head.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
Definitely, and I've heard it can boost creativity
too.
It can.

Speaker 1 (04:00):
Something about a tactile feel.
It sparks ideas, sometimes inways that just staring at a
screen doesn't.
Apparently, there's somecognitive science behind it.

Speaker 2 (04:09):
Oh, really yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:10):
Suggests that writing engages different brain parts
than typing Leads to bettermemory.
Deeper processing Might explainwhy it works so well for
clearing the head.

Speaker 2 (04:20):
That physical act definitely helps with
remembering things later.
If you write it, you tend toretain it better.
Sure, and when you talk aboutdesign features like the thick
paper in those list alliannotebooks, that enhances the
whole experience.
Right, no, bleed through meansclearer notes, less frustration.
It helps maintain that sense oforder.

Speaker 1 (04:40):
Absolutely crucial and the numbered pages.
You find those consistently inlist allian journals.
Seems like a small detail, butbut it's actually huge for
organization for referencingpast notes easily.

Speaker 2 (04:51):
How so.

Speaker 1 (04:52):
Okay, imagine you're on a long project, right yeah,
and you need to find a decisionyou made weeks ago With numbered
pages.
Boom, you can find it.
No flipping endlessly.

Speaker 2 (05:01):
Right, you can actually locate specific
information.

Speaker 1 (05:03):
And then there's the built-in table of contents.
That's a real hallmark ofListown.

Speaker 2 (05:07):
Like your own personal index.

Speaker 1 (05:09):
Exactly A personalized index to your
entire freelance world.
You can organize everything andfind specific details super
quickly Save so much time.

Speaker 2 (05:19):
It really transforms the journal from just notes into
a searchable archive of yourwork.

Speaker 1 (05:24):
And you mentioned durability earlier the covers on
the stallion, the faux leatheron both soft and hard covers.

Speaker 2 (05:30):
Yeah, they need to be tough.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
They really do.
These things get tossed in bags, carried around.
They need to hold up.

Speaker 2 (05:36):
And the A5 size is pretty practical too, I find.

Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, it's a good balance right.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Oh.

Speaker 1 (05:41):
Portable enough, but still big enough for proper
notes.

Speaker 2 (05:44):
Definitely Plus having options like soft cover.
With what?
211 pages, yeah, and softcoverwith what?
211 pages, yeah, and hardcoverand different colors.

Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, lets you pick what works for you.

Speaker 2 (05:54):
Personalize it a bit.
It makes it a tool you actuallywant to use, not just feel
obligated to.

Speaker 1 (05:57):
Exactly so.
It integrates smoothly.
Okay, let's talk practical uses.
How does a freelancer actuallyuse this thing day to day?

Speaker 2 (06:04):
Well, the foundation is task and project management,
your daily to-do lists,obviously.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
Right the basics.

Speaker 2 (06:09):
But then expand that.
Use weekly spreads to seewhat's ongoing, what's coming up
.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
Get a bigger picture.

Speaker 2 (06:15):
And even quarterly planners, keep those long-term
goals in sight.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
So it becomes your command center for what needs
doing and when.

Speaker 2 (06:23):
Exactly.
Then there's client trackingSuper important.

Speaker 1 (06:26):
Absolutely vital.
Clients are everything.
So having a dedicated spacecontact info, project scope,
deadlines, payment tracking.
It's invaluable.
And again, those numbered pagesin a listalian journal really
shine here.

Speaker 2 (06:40):
How?

Speaker 1 (06:40):
so you could dedicate , say, pages 1 to 50 for client
A, pages 51 to 100 for client B.
Use the table of contents topinpoint specific things, like
feedback on draft 2 on page 68.

Speaker 2 (06:53):
Ah, I see, so you keep everything related to one
client or project clearlyseparated, but easily findable.

Speaker 1 (06:59):
Exactly Stops things getting muddled when you're
juggling multiple clients.
Keeps a clear record.

Speaker 2 (07:04):
Makes sense.
And what about creativesWriters, designers, marketers?

Speaker 1 (07:07):
Oh, huge potential there too for writers Outlining
articles, jotting down keywordideas, tracking pitches.

Speaker 2 (07:13):
Designers could use it for initial sketches, getting
ideas down quickly.

Speaker 1 (07:16):
Totally Capture those raw concepts marketers,
brainstorming campaigns, mappingout strategies.

Speaker 2 (07:23):
And the line spacing matters there too, right, like
the 7.5 millimeter lines ordashed options in Lestallion.

Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, those details make writing or even sketching
feel more organized, lesscramped.

Speaker 2 (07:35):
It's about the tool supporting what you actually do,
whether it's writing prose ordrawing diagrams.

Speaker 1 (07:40):
Exactly and using it consistently builds a habit
which is crucial forproductivity, especially when
there's no boss looking overyour shoulder.

Speaker 2 (07:50):
That self-discipline piece, the journal, becomes your
accountability partner.

Speaker 1 (07:54):
Right, just writing down your goals, your tasks.
It keeps you honest, keeps youon track.

Speaker 2 (07:58):
And even the feel of it, like you mentioned with
Lestallion's ivory paper, thatsmooth writing it helps.

Speaker 1 (08:04):
It makes it less of a chore, more of a pleasant
routine.
So you stick with it.

Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, if the paper's scratchy, you're just not going
to use it.
Now let me tell you about mysister-in-law.
She's a freelance editor.
Okay, she used to be totallyswamped Multiple projects,
different style, guides,deadlines, everywhere Felt like
she was drowning in emails andnotes.

Speaker 1 (08:21):
Sounds familiar.
What changed?

Speaker 2 (08:22):
She got a Lestallion notebook, started dedicating
sections to each client, usedthe numbered pages for specific
style notes, the table ofcontents to jump around and did
it help Massively.
She said it was like finallygetting a clear map of
everything.
She felt less stressed, more incontrol, actually more
organized.

Speaker 1 (08:41):
Wow, that feeling of control, actually more organized
.
Wow, that feeling of control.
It makes such a difference toyour headspace, doesn't it?

Speaker 2 (08:45):
Huge difference.

Speaker 1 (08:46):
It reminds me of my friend, a freelance developer.
He was drowning in digitalnotes, meeting minutes here,
code snippets there across likefive different apps.

Speaker 2 (08:56):
Digital clutter central.

Speaker 1 (08:57):
Totally.
He started using a listalianjournal, different sections for
different coding projects, usedthe numbered pages to link
meeting notes to related codeideas.

Speaker 2 (09:06):
Interesting A physical counterpart.

Speaker 1 (09:08):
Yeah, he called it.
His physical command centersaid it helped him focus and
honestly just reduced his screentime fatigue.

Speaker 2 (09:15):
That's a great point.
Stepping away from the screen,using pen and paper, it can
bring real clarity, especiallyin tech-heavy fields.

Speaker 1 (09:22):
Definitely and ultimately, as the sources we
looked at kept stressing.
This isn't just about today'sto-do list.

Speaker 2 (09:28):
No, it's bigger than that.

Speaker 1 (09:30):
Consistent journaling .
It's really a strategy forlong-term growth.

Speaker 2 (09:33):
How so.

Speaker 1 (09:34):
Well, you start seeing patterns in your own work
habits.
You spot areas to improvethings you can streamline.
It helps you build a moresustainable career.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
You gain insights.
You're not just reacting,you're reflecting and planning.

Speaker 1 (09:47):
Exactly that consistent writing.
It encourages reflection, helpsyou adapt, better than just
constantly putting out firesfrom your inbox.

Speaker 2 (09:56):
It gives you that space for intentionality.
You're actively shaping things,not just responding.

Speaker 1 (10:02):
So, wrapping up this deep dive, the big takeaway
seems pretty clear Awell-designed journal,
especially one with featuresbuilt for freelancers like the
Listallion ones we've discussedit, could be a seriously
valuable asset, more than just anotebook.

Speaker 2 (10:16):
Right, it's that central hub for organization, a
catalyst for productivity.

Speaker 1 (10:20):
And really a reliable partner for long-term freelance
success.

Speaker 2 (10:24):
And those specific features really make the
difference.
The numbered pages for easyreferencing.

Speaker 1 (10:29):
The table of contents for finding things fast.

Speaker 2 (10:31):
That thick quality paper for a good writing
experience.
Durability.

Speaker 1 (10:36):
And just the solid, durable design overall.

Speaker 2 (10:39):
Yeah, those elements are what turn a basic notebook
into a genuinely powerful toolfor freelancers.

Speaker 1 (10:45):
So think about that feeling, you know scattered
thoughts, maybe missedopportunities.
What if just putting pen topaper, but in a structured way,
yeah.
What if that's the key, the keyto unlocking a more focused,
more productive and ultimatelyyeah a more successful freelance
journey?

Speaker 2 (11:01):
It's a compelling thought.

Speaker 1 (11:03):
What's maybe just one thing you could start tracking
or planning in a dedicatedjournal today.