The freelance life can be a great way to make a living. You have the opportunity to be your own boss, establish your own hours, and work from home (or anywhere else in the world, for that matter). But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies; freelancing can also be a huge challenge when it comes to staying productive.
There are a million distractions just a click away, and it can be easy to find yourself wasting hours upon hours scrolling through social media or watching cat videos on YouTube. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can learn how to stay focused and productive while working from home with little effort and discipline. Here are some best (and worst) ways to do just that.
5 Best Ways to Stay Productive as a Freelancer
1. Get dressed for work.
Even working from home, you shouldn’t stay in your PJs all day. Your ability to be productive will increase if you dress appropriately for work. Plus, it’ll make you feel more professional when you need to hop on a video call or meet with clients in person.
2. Set regular office hours.
One of the biggest challenges of freelancing is that it’s easy to start working at odd hours and then find yourself working around the clock. To avoid this, set regular office hours for yourself and stick to them as much as possible. This will help you establish boundaries between work and leisure time, which is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
3. Take breaks.
Taking pauses may seem counterintuitive, but they can help you stay focused and effective while working from home. When you take breaks, you’re giving your brain a chance to rest and recharge, ultimately making it easier for you to focus when you sit back down to work. Make sure your break activities are relaxing—no checking email or scrolling through social media!
4. Invest in quality tools and resources.
If you want to be productive while freelancing, you must have the right tools and resources. That means investing in fast computers, reliable internet connections, quality software, etc. Yes, these things cost money—but they’re worth it if they help you get your work done more efficiently.
5. Set goals for each day/week/month/etc.
One of the best ways to stay productive while freelancing is to set goals for yourself and achieve them! This could mean setting a daily word count goal if you’re a writer or blocking off time each day/week/month to focus on marketing or business development if that’s something you struggle with. Whatever your objectives are, be sure they are practical and attainable; otherwise, you’ll only end up feeling frustrated when you don’t meet them…which isn’t very productive at all!
5 Worst Ways to Stay Productive as a Freelancer
1. Start working the moment you wake up.
One of the worst ways to stay productive as a freelancer is to start working the moment you wake up. This can have several negative consequences. First, it can lead to burnout. If you’re always working, you’ll never have a chance to relax and recharge, which can eventually lead to exhaustion. Second, it can make you less productive. When you’re tired, your work will suffer, and you’ll be less likely to get things done. Finally, it can make you feel isolated and lonely. Working all the time can make connecting with other people difficult, leaving you feeling isolated and alone. If you want to be productive as a freelancer, it’s important to find a balance between work and play. Make sure to take breaks and spend time with family and friends. And when you do work, try to focus on quality over quantity.
2. Work late into the night.
As a freelancer, you can work your own hours and work as late as you like. However, research shows that working late at night is one of the worst ways to stay productive. According to a study of college students, those who remained up late to study were less likely to retain information than those who went to bed at a reasonable hour. This is so that your brain can relax and recuperate while also aiding in memory consolidation. When you lack sleep, your brain cannot process properly, and you are more likely to forget what you have learned. In addition, sleep deprivation can lead to other problems, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating and decreased motor skills. So if you want to be productive as a freelancer, it’s best to avoid working late into the night.
3. Don’t take any breaks.
As a freelancer, staying productive to finish projects on time and keep clients happy is important. However, working non-stop is one of the worst ways to stay productive. Breaks are essential to recharge and refresh the mind; without them, work quality will suffer. Additionally, working for long periods without a break can lead to burnout. When burnout sets in, it’s hard to muster up the energy to work, let alone be productive. To avoid burnout and maintain high productivity levels, freelancers should take breaks throughout the day. Even a few minutes every couple of hours can make a big difference.
4. Try to do everything at once.
Getting caught up in the trap of attempting to achieve everything at once is easy. After all, there’s no one around to tell you what to do, and no one will suffer the consequences if you don’t get things done. However, this “everything at once” approach is one of the worst ways to stay productive. Not only will you feel overwhelmed and stressed, but you’re also likely to make mistakes. Instead, try to focus on one task at a time and break it down into smaller goals. As a result, you’ll be able to maintain your concentration and stay away from unnecessary details. Once you’ve completed a task, move on to the next one. Take things one step at a time, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you can accomplish.
5. Constantly check social media.
For freelancers, social media can significantly reduce productivity. First, it’s a huge time suck. If you’re constantly checking your Facebook feed or Twitter timeline, you’re not working. And even if you’re taking a quick break to scroll through Instagram, those minutes add up. Second, social media is distracting. It’s designed to be addictive, and it’s easy to get sucked in and lose track of time.
Another thing is that it can be a source of comparison and envy. When you see other freelancers sharing their wins and success stories, it’s easy to feel as though you’re not doing enough or aren’t good enough. Lastly, social media can be a breeding ground for negative thoughts and emotions. Reading about someone else’s bad day or seeing a disturbing news story can put you in a bad mood and make it harder to focus on your work. So if you want to be more productive as a freelancer, resist the urge to check social media constantly. Trust us, and your business will thank you for it.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to staying productive as a freelancer—it all depends on what works best for YOU. However, some general tips and tricks can help most people focus while working from home. And if all else fails, remember that trial and error is part of the process! So don’t be too hard on yourself if you have difficulty staying productive at first; try new things repeatedly until you discover what works best for you, and then stay with it!