All of us, no matter what age, calling or location, are allotted the same 24 hours in the day. It's how we use our time that determines whether it's wasted or not. Experts say the principles of time management cross disciplines, industries and lifestyles, and when practiced, lead to more satisfying personal and professional lives. Yet many independent contractors or free agents find big differences in managing time when they leave their 9-to-5 jobs. There are three major time-management differences between being a free agent and being a full-time worker.

1. Structural
Unlike traditional employees whose employers define their jobs, hours, tasks and markets for products and/or services, free agents are without structure. This means they literally must set daily hours and tasks, prioritizing each one. They also have to identify their fees, audiences and changing markets and purchase their own benefits like health insurance and retirement. When everything looks equally important, structuring your day can be a tough job. That's why free agents need to make three time-management tips their priority:

• Plan ahead. Write out your job description, including objectives, fees, services and timetables. Then map out schedules similar to what you'd give a newly hired employee. Make daily, weekly, monthly and annual lists, using these to help you monitor progress.
• Learn the art of decision-making. Early on, decide what you want to do, are willing to do and not willing to do and what you need to delegate. Write this down, stick to it and when you waiver, re-read your reasons.
• Break it down. Break down large chunks of time into smaller steps and set timetables for completing projects, rather than doing big jobs all at once.

2. Motivational
Since free agents are highly motivated individuals, they generally have the advantage here. Rather than needing motivation, their challenge lies in setting limits and creating balance to avoid isolation and/or burnout. To walk this tightrope, free agents need time-management strategies to help them:

• Organize. Design your workspace to be functional, with all the necessary tools at hand. Hire a pro to help you organize, if necessary. Setting up an organizational structure before you begin will save you time, help you stay ahead of schedule and keep you focused.
• Use three-in-one methods. "Three-in-one" means doing one thing while accomplishing three, such as attending annual business conferences where you can track issues and trends, network with colleagues and promote your products and/or services, gaining three or more outcomes from one activity.
• Manage relationships. Smart free agents make time for family, friends and colleagues, keeping their personal and professional networks alive and well. Strong networks can lead to a situation where others do your networking for you. Managing relationships is one of the best techniques for free agents, because it is its own reward, providing boosts of energy, support and new resources for help, as well as leads.

3. Personal
Structural and motivational strategies determine personal time. By planning ahead, getting organized and taking care of first things first, your personal time will be yours. Here are three more tips to save time, enhance your personal formula and increase your rewards:

• Pay yourself first. Keep enough cash reserves so that monthly paychecks are not an issue. Instead of worrying about bills, your time will be free to focus on other priorities.
• Plan annual vacations and mini-vacations. Vacations are a source of renewal, and smart free agents give themselves permission to take time to rejuvenate. So allow yourself sick days, days off or what some call "mini-vacations" throughout the year.
• Learn to say no. Savvy free agents know that saying "no" means saying "yes" to lifestyle priorities that are equally important to career priorities. As a free agent, you need to realize that without your health and well-being, nothing counts -- nor will your dreams materialize. It's the same message flight attendants give their passengers: "Before assisting others, secure your mask first."