5 Productivity Tips for Freelancers

Most people don’t understand that freelancing is a difficult career path. They’re easily fooled by freelancers’ freedom, flexible hours and a seemingly endless number of “free hours” that most freelancers seem to enjoy. But unlike their colleagues from the 9-5 jobs, with their guaranteed paycheck every month’s end, freelancers require a lot more than willpower to wake up early every morning and go to work. Here are some productivity tips to study.

A successful freelancer nurtures sharp focus and discipline in order to be productive throughout the entire day. A freelancer is more likely to be distracted by trivial matters, particularly when working from home. Household chores, romantic partners, idle friends, and other stuff can easily obstruct concentration and keep you further from your goals. So, what can you do to stay productive? Read on to find out.

Manage distractions

The biggest challenge when you’re your own boss is to manage distractions, particularly when you’re working from your house. Family, TV, chores, and the ever-present Internet connection can keep you away from doing what you’re supposed to do. A good option is to get an affordable shared office space to avoid such issues, particularly when it’s impossible to implement a “No Distractions Zone” in your home.

Since the Internet and unproductive habits that follow it will likely be your major distraction problem, there is a ton of software you can utilize to block web-based distractions, including:

• Self-Control (for Mac users)
• Cold Turkey
• Stay Focused (Chrome extension)

Hide your phone from yourself

That compulsion to see what’s new on Facebook or who liked the most recent photo you shared on Instagram is real – science has proved that social media exposure increases dopamine. Dopamine, colloquially known as the main chemical of pleasure, is often the main motivator for different kinds of behaviors. In this case, every time you discover new amazing or funny posts while scrolling, your brain gets a surge of it, keeping you searching for more brilliant photos or videos.

Unfortunately, that won’t make you more productive, or happy, in the long run. In addition, that phone near you reduces your cognitive resources that would be better spent on the task you’re working on – a phenomenon known as “brain drain”. It doesn’t matter that you aren’t actively using it. Simply knowing that it is in your sight makes you dedicate a part of your mental resources toward it, ultimately lowering your ability to concentrate.

Try a pinboard

One of the most effective ways to boost your productivity and manage multiple information sources is a pinboard. You can use it to display important dates, deadlines, milestones, and organize projects or schedules – its flexibility is only limited by your imagination.

Thankfully, nowadays it’s easy to find a pinboard online. Just remember that anything you post on it should be easy to read, organized and written in a large print. Pinboards can be quite useful to make busy schedules more manageable as they allow information to be easily accessible and interchangeable.

Have a dedicated workspace

That bed of yours isn’t your office. Neither is your bathroom or your favorite place on the couch. Adopt having a particular workspace in your home, whether it is an entire room or a corner of your kitchen table. A dedicated place to work boosts your focus.

Of course, such a space can boost productivity even more if you create an environment that fosters creativity and space to think. For example, it shouldn’t be cluttered, disorganized and dirty.

Take the time to train

Your work schedule must include some time for physical activity. Prolonged sitting is associated with a myriad of health issues, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. Training, even in the light range, rejuvenates your body and gives you a fresh perspective on the task at hand. For example, a 10-minute workout was shown to be just as effective as longer workouts of moderate intensity.

Training also improves brain power and problem-solving skills, thanks to the surge of oxygen and nutrients into the brain when your heart rate goes up.

Let’s be honest: reading about this is easier than actually following it. You will need a lot of discipline and effort. However, keep in mind that it takes about two months to develop a new habit, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t immediately notice any change. Have patience, and believe in yourself.