How good are your focus and productivity while working as a freelancer? The truth is that even being your boss can be challenging, and will have its specific pros and cons. The thing that people struggle with the most? The ability to set their own schedule and organize their free time. With no boss in the office to check up on you or to give you some tough love, it can be challenging and draining to do it yourself and be your boss. If you wish to figure out how to stop being sloppy and become a lot more productive, keep on reading and find your answers down below!
10 Tips for Improving Your Productivity and Focus as a Freelancer
1. Be realistic and accept a realistic workload
You and only you are responsible for the amount of work that you plan on doing and working on. No one can tell you what is too much or too little in your case. This is why you should assess your free time, and pace, along with your knowledge and skills to see just how much you can contribute to one client. If you’re a beginner, start by working with one client and taking one project at a time. Do not rush this process and get the needed practice.
2. Have a strict schedule
Most freelancers don’t work in a company and they do their job in the comfort of their homes where there are no log-in and log-out hours, just your rough assumption of how your day is going to look like. This is why you should come up with a to-do list manually if that works for you. Most freelancers have a digital calendar or a notebook that helps them stay focused. With any of these, you will stay on top of your projects and be more productive.
3. Have your own workspace
As freelancers aren’t employed by companies, they are working remotely for the most part, which is an amazing perk to enjoy! However, sometimes less is truly more, since who can focus on their job when at a gorgeous cafe or by the beach? This is why you should have a dedicated workspace for your freelance work. Aim for an environment that is boosting and positive and that will help with your productivity.
4. Communication is key
You should always talk with your clients and be straightforward with them. In freelancing, it can be hard to communicate and collaborate with your clients online, which is why it may be best to schedule regular calls and interact face to face. By getting clarification and having all of your questions answered from the get-go, each person will easily get the guidance they need and will have everything in-check.
5. Know when to take a break
Did you know that taking breaks and rewarding yourself should be a part of the overall equation? This will boost your productivity and make you a happy individual. Just as you take coffee or lunch breaks at work it is also crucial to take a break once in a while to avoid getting stressed and burnt out on your own and when at home. Reward yourself after each successful project by going on a shopping spree, booking a massage, or pretty much anything that truly makes you happy.
6. Self-care helps in the long-run
To feel good you must be physically, emotionally, and mentally well. This means that you will get your productivity and organization in order if and when you’re:
- Sleeping 8 hours minimum
- Are eating nutritious food
- You’re drinking a ton of water
- You’re reading and practicing mindfulness while staying positive
- You have a social lifestyle that can be sustainable
You can’t have a healthy and happy work environment without ticking a couple of these boxes.
7. Not having meals at your work desk
You’ll be surprised when you find out how often you eat or drink while working at your desk. When you think about it, it does make sense, right? Well, for many freelancers, this becomes a hard habit to break, particularly for those who aren’t mindful of their time and breaks. You should get your body moving and pumping, which is why you should move away from your computer for a while and have your snacks and refreshments in the kitchen.
8. Reducing browsing time and distractions
Internet surfing definitely slows you down and keeps your productivity at its lowest. Try to sort out your subscriptions by folders to prevent you from visiting the sites which do not contribute to your overall productivity. This can apply to a lot of phone apps and notifications, along with social media accounts. In fact, try to stay away from your screen for as much as possible to rest your eyes.
9. Doing one task at a time truly helps
Multitasking is not for everyone, which is why you shouldn’t push doing several tasks at a time. Engaging in a single task seems more effective since working on one portion of the job allows full concentration and your entire dedication. Most people tend to multi-task with their job and daily tasks, but the truth is that this can do you more harm than good. Be patient and productive in this way to truly spot a change.
10. Have the right time tracker
It all comes down to being productive with your time and having the right time tracker. The better you keep track of your hours, the more insight and benefit you get from it. Check out this website, and ask your colleagues or staff to track hours in Keeping. This way you have all the hours at your disposal in clear reports. Keep track of hours worked, collaborate, invoice, and much more so that you will have more time for the important things later. This tracker works on the web, iPhone, android, chrome, or firefox, perfect for anyone despite their freelancing job!
