Wondering how to maximize your time so you show up as your best, most productive self? Sometimes that extra boost you need can be as simple as adding something new into your workflow. Here are a few tips we use throughout our days to get productive, and stay productive.
FULL PODCAST EPISODE HERE
Being your own boss… amazing and totally stress-free, right?
Just kidding.
As a freelancer or solo entrepreneur, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of work that needs to be done on a daily basis. Especially because, for the most part, you’re the only one standing in the way of being getting that “one last thing” done.
While we don’t claim to be experts on all things productivity, we do believe it’s important to have a toolkit that can help you stay focused, organized, and on top of your workload.
Here are a few suggestions that might help you boost your productivity as a freelancer or solo entrepreneur:
Set clear goals for each day:
Take a few minutes at the start of each day to identify the specific tasks or projects you want to accomplish. Make sure they are achievable and have a deadline. Having a clear set of goals will help you stay motivated and focused throughout the day.
Create a to-do list:
A to-do list is a great way to keep track of everything you need to do. Don’t worry about making a perfectly organized list at first- sometimes brain dumping and refining works too.Write down all of your tasks and projects, and prioritize them based on importance and deadline. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anything important.
Work in blocks of time:
If we had to count the number of times we feel burnt out during a day… Instead of trying to work for long stretches at a time, consider breaking your workday into blocks of time. For example, work for 90 minutes, then take a 20 minute break, and repeat. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout- your work and mental health will thank you!
Take breaks:
Speaking of breaks, it’s important to take them throughout the day to rest and recharge. During your breaks, try to step away from your computer and do something that helps you relax. This can be unique to your mindset and the weather- snow and rain gets the best of us too sometimes! Try moving your body or practice some deep breathing exercises.
Minimize distractions:
Distractions can be a major productivity killer, so it’s important to minimize them as much as possible. Turn off your phone and close unnecessary browser tabs while you work. You might also consider using a productivity app or browser extension that blocks distracting websites or alerts.
Set boundaries:
As a freelancer or solo entrepreneur, it can be easy to work all the time. But it’s important to set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. This might include setting specific working hours or designating certain days as “off” days. While it might be a hard thing to master, taking the time for yourself allows you to show up 100% and can even help generate fresh, new ideas!
Find a workspace that works for you:
Whether it’s a dedicated home office or a co-working space, find a workspace that helps you feel productive, focused, and maybe most importantly, inspired. Make sure the space is well-lit and comfortable, and consider adding personal touches such as plants or artwork to make it feel more welcoming. Find what works for you- one person may love working amidst that coffee shop buzz, while others need peace and quiet. There’s no wrong answer!
By following these productivity tips, you can stay organized, focused, and on top of your workload as a freelancer or solo entrepreneur. Remember to take care of yourself and your well-being as well, as this will ultimately help you be more productive in the long run.
As promised, here are some tools we’ve been implementing into our workflow:
- Project management – Notion // Bonsai (client management) // Flodesk
- Calendly –
- Arrae Calm – Our favourite way to lower our cortisol and focus, Arrae’s Calm Alchemy Capsules are a perfect addition! L-theanine and magnesium calms down your brain and helps get through that mid-day stress!
- Declutter – close tabs, clean your space, and mind dump to have a clean slate to do what you need to get done without anything else invading your space.
- “Intuitive working” – I personally can’t force work. Sometimes I’m a “jump into the hardest task first” type of gal, but other times I’m putting it off until I’m in a good headspace or feel good about it. When I would try to fight myself on trying to do tasks I didn’t want to do, I would waste so much energy and time clicking back and forth, putting it off, and so on.
- Boundaries – Set them. No, really. While it might be easy to let one or two things slide, that sets up a precedent for later opportunities. Know what you need and don’t be afraid to speak up. If someone doesn’t respect them, that’s their problem. You need to show up for yourself first!
- Meetings – Don’t take them on if they are not needed. Sometimes what seems important can be solved with an email or during a later follow-up. Create an agenda to stay on track and allow yourself to focus on priorities.
- Integrations – One thing that’s been a game changer for us lately is integrating tools like Google Calendar and Calendly with Notion using Zapier. This has been saving us a ton of time from manually adding and updating every event, and keeps us on-track with what’s coming up! Grab our custom Notion package and check out this useful video on using Zapier.
