5 Tips to Increase Your Freelance Productivity

Your Freelance work can be one of the easiest and hardest things you’ll ever have to do – depending on what day it is, how much energy you have, what kind of mood you’re in, etc. Anyone who has ever made a living as a freelance completely understands how hectic things can get. Sometimes it may seem as if the smallest thing has completely thrown you off schedule.

The bad thing about freelancing is that unless you work, you don’t get paid. The hardest part is actually getting through the projects that you have. You’re probably familiar with the creative block, which is an inability to create anything at that particular moment in time. There are of course, other things that can get in the way of getting your work done such as sicknesses, other chores, etc. Luckily, there are ways to get over every imaginable obstacle out there.

Here’s 5 tips to help you increase your productivity and get your work done in a timely manner:

1. Create a schedule

Do this before you go to bed every night so that you will have a generalized idea of how your day is going to look. Keep in mind that nothing ever goes exactly as planned, so be prepared for a dozen unexpected things to occur. Create an outline of how your day might go, and make it a point to pave out a time frame at which you will get your work done. Doing this will help to mentally prepare you for the day ahead.

2. Rise Early

Make writing the first thing you do in the morning. If there are other chores, go ahead and get them out of the way as well. Some days it may be easy to get up and start writing, and then others, it may be easier to get up and do your other chores. Consider alternating to keep things interesting, or, if you would prefer, stick to one certain way of doing things everyday in order to create a routine.

3. Eat Breakfast and Exercise

This may sound like it has nothing to do with increasing productivity, but it is very important. A lot of people assume that sitting at a computer all day is a piece of cake – not exhausting in the least bit. Well, as you may already know, that’s a big fat load of crap! Writing can be very exhausting, especially mentally. You’re going to need energy, and the best way to get it is to make sure you eat breakfast and get some exercise. You don’t have to exercise early in the day if you do not want to. Some people work out when they first wake up, others do it on their lunch breaks, and then others workout a few hours before bed at night. You’re going to need that extra boost every day.

4. Take Breaks

No one says that you have to work for a solid block of five hours straight, or even two hours straight for that matter. When you find yourself feeling distracted, mentally exhausted, or even a bit tense and irritated with what you’re doing, get up and move around. Go do something totally different for about 30 minutes. Take your mind completely off your writing and just relax. Take the dog for a walk, do the laundry, wash the dishes – whatever you do, just keep it simple. When you return to your computer, you’ll be ready to write!

5. Know When to Quit

Do not assume that you have all day to do your work because it won’t get done. Set a time limit for yourself. For example, you might say, “In the morning, I am going to wake up at 5:00 AM, work for 1 ½ hours, and then get some chores done for two hours. After that, I am going to sit down for 3 more 90-minute rounds of working, and then I am going to be finished. I plan on being completely finished by 4:00 PM.” When it’s time to stop – stop. You can’t let your work drag out all day, if you do that, you’ll be miserable.

2 Responses to 5 Tips to Increase Your Freelance Productivity

  1. The schedule has got to be one of the most important productivity tips. You can very easily loose hours even days getting pulled one way or another. Without a schedule you are setting yourself up for some very unproductive days.

    I think all of us freelancer have had this happen. Starting your day with a big to-do list and your favorite coffee. You start checking e-mail when you sit down, big no-no, and go about your business. Suddenly, you look up and it’s 1pm. 4 hours gone just like that…
    Your like, damn, what just happened.

    I personally utilize Microsoft Outlook for my scheduling. Whatever program you have, use it. It will make your days much more productive leaving you with a sense of accomplishment which is a great feeling.

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