Life as a Freelancer: Tips on Increasing Productivity

Working as a freelancer can be a rewarding an exciting career. After all, how many people dream of working from home? Like any other job, freelancing has its positive and negative aspects, and productivity is one of the biggest problems that freelancers face. Thankfully, the following tips will help increase your productivity level.

Stick to a Routine

Studies have proven that creating and sticking to a routine is one of the best ways to increase productivity. Unfortunately, this can be one of the hardest things to do. As a freelancer, your time is essentially your own, which means you have no one but yourself to be held accountable too. Because of that, it can let daily tasks that have nothing to do with your work creep in. For example, you’re working on a project for a client and that sink full of dirty dishes just keeps taunting you. You think, “I can get those dishes washed and get back to work no problem”, and then something else comes up followed by another daily chore and before you know it, the day is over and you have made little to no progress on the project. If, however, you can create a schedule that you stick with, you will see an immediate boost in your productivity.

Utilize Devices that Save Time

There are several devices that can greatly help you save time. Management tools and apps, for example, can greatly increase productivity. Digital dictation equipment can also help save time if you are one of the many people who talk faster than they can type.

Get Rd of Distractions

Distractions are another productivity killer and, unfortunately, there are hundreds of them. Social media sites, for example, are wonderful for connecting with clients, networking and promoting your business. They are also one of the biggest distractions that freelancers face today. They are not, however, the only ones. Television, radios and even other people can all be distractions to freelancers. That is why it is important to pull yourself away from these distractions. There are several apps that act as a work clock that you can set so, for example, you work for an hour and then get a 10 minute break. If you find your distractions are caused by other people, make sure to set boundaries and let your family and friends know. Just because you don’t have a boss in the traditional sense doesn’t mean you don’t have work hours.