In the freelance world, self-discipline and productivity are nonnegotiables.
Sometimes, you can work tirelessly and still feel like you’re not accomplishing enough, though.
If you’ve ever felt busy but unproductive, you’re not alone.
There are unique challenges remote workers face, and if you are picking up gigs, learn how to overcome them to regain your focus and truly thrive in your career.
What Unique Challenges Do Freelancers Face?
Freelancing means enjoying the flexibility and autonomy that’s usually lacking in conventional work settings. However, it’s not without its challenges.
These common problems may hinder your productivity.
Decreased Self-Discipline
Freelancers make their own rules.
You can sleep in an extra hour or work by the beach. While these perks mean more independence, working remotely requires discipline and motivation to stay productive.
If you frequently procrastinate or extend project deadlines, you may struggle with self-discipline.
Winging it at work rather than operating on a preplanned schedule is also a sign that you may need to boost your self-discipline.
Lack of Structured Routines
The flexibility that freelancing offers can be a double-edged sword.
While the freedom it presents is exciting, it can also lead to decreased focus, especially if you manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
Without a solid structure to your workdays, it’s easy to experience delays and diminished productivity.
Distractions at Home
Barking dogs, kids running around, household chores or friends dropping by can disrupt your focus. You love your family, neighbors and pets, but they can be distracting.
Working from home can make you appear more available. However, if you don’t manage distractions, you may lose work hours.
Burnout
Burnout can happen to anyone, especially to freelancers who work long hours.
It occurs when you suddenly feel disenchanted at work.
Many freelancers take on too many projects at once, believing that more work equates to success, but overexerting yourself can be detrimental to your physical and mental well-being.
No Work-Life Balance
Flexibility means you decide where to work from — whether it’s the living room, bedroom, or dining area — and when to stop your workday.
This flexibility can make it hard to separate work from your personal life.
With so much freedom, you might even find yourself working during vacations, which can impact your productivity and prevent you from fully enjoying your time off.
7 Ways Freelancers Can Work More Efficiently
These techniques will keep you productive at work — anytime, anywhere.
Try Time Batching
If you’re a multitasker, time batching can help you feel productive but not overworked.
Divide your day into time blocks and assign a set of tasks to each period. Group similar goals together based on how long they take to accomplish.
Next, identify your priorities.
Do you prefer tackling big-impact projects first before working on smaller tasks or vice versa?
Identify the best times to accomplish each item on your to-do list and stick to your schedule.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
Make an office in your home.
A dedicated workspace serves as a physical boundary and puts your mind in work mode. Add a desk, an ergonomic chair and some fun elements — like plants or framed photos — to liven up your space.
When your space is a mess, so is your mind.
Declutter and clean your desk regularly. Disinfect your computer, mouse and other items to prevent the spread of germs in your workspace.
Making time for cleaning can help you stay healthy and happy.
Stay Active
One of the drawbacks of remote working is the lack of movement.
At a conventional office, you may walk to a meeting room, ride your bike home or go out for lunch with your co-workers.
When you’re at home, you sit for hours, which can be detrimental to your health.
Take a morning stroll, stretch in between your working hours, or do jumping jacks to regain energy. Go to the gym or attend a fitness class on the weekends to stay active.
Create Buffer Zones Between Tasks
Buffer zones are mandatory breaks between tasks.
Forcing yourself to take pauses can help prevent burnout. If you need a mental break, close your eyes for a few minutes, eat light snacks away from your screen, or pet your dog.
Avoid scrolling on your phone so you won’t lose track of time.
If your body needs a movement break, schedule short pauses for walking and stretching. Light exercises can help prevent muscle tightness and weakness.
Use Distraction-Busting Apps
You’re scrolling through your social media, unaware that you’ve already wasted precious time.
Phones can be your biggest time-waster.
Use distraction-busting apps to get your work done. Forest lets you grow a virtual tree while you stay focused.
Leaving the app causes the tree to die. Freedom blocks websites and apps on several devices, helping you stay focused.
Set Boundaries With Clients
As an independent worker, you can establish boundaries before partnering with a client.
Consider creating an onboarding document that states your availability or how many revisions you accept. If you want to take on more projects, outsource low-impact tasks to others.
Learn how to say “no” to protect your professional and personal life and eliminate feelings of guilt.
Saying “no” can help manage client expectations, especially when you’re overwhelmed with your current workload.
Learn Shortcuts to Boost Productivity
Shortcuts help simplify your workflow and get things done faster. Whether it’s a workflow automation or a keyboard shortcut, these can help you work more efficiently.
If you’re a Windows user, pin frequently used apps on the taskbar for easier access.
Create shortcuts for websites you visit regularly by bookmarking them.
Lastly, learn keyboard shortcuts for common actions like copying, pasting, deleting, and opening a new document or tab.
Regain Your Focus With These Tips
Efficiency is not about the hours you put into work — it’s about making each hour count.
Implement these tips to take your productivity and freelancing career to greater heights.
Soon enough, you can build a sustainable system that works for you, making both your work life and personal life more fulfilling.
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