6 Simple Ways For Freelancers To Increase Productivity

Introduction

This is my first blog post and I thought it would be appropriate to start off with the subject of productivity.  It's the one thing we all strive for in our professional lives.  We think we have it down pat, and then the phone rings (the one on our desk as well as the one in our pocket), our children skin their knees, the social media hubs light up and email messages come flowing in.  We get a little off track as the day progresses, and before you know it, a week has passed.

As a freelancer or independent professional, you don't have the boss looking over your shoulder... you are the boss.  And it takes time, especially in the beginning to make the transition and mind shift from being an employee, to managing one's self.  In the new world of work, we're finding that we have to make more than a few changes in the way we think about making a living.  Sooo, I found this article that I thought was an excellent starting point for my new blogging adventures.  Please read this post, and share it with your friends, then read the original post in it's entirety.  You'll be glad you did.

The biggest attraction to freelancing for many  people is in having the freedom to set your own schedule and make your own rules. This can also be a pitfall as well. Without the structure of an office environment, many would-be freelancers find themselves wondering at the end of the day where all their time went. And as a freelancer, having a constant sense of accomplishment and getting the most out of your workday can be tough.

So to help, here are some simple ways that freelancers can increase productivity:

1. Set a schedule - Define your work hours and set a schedule. Sounds simple, but it needs to be something you sit down and plan, then execute that plan, each day until it becomes a non negotiable part of your existence. Which leads to the next step...
   
2. Make a plan - Including setting goals, and creating to-do lists, tracking your time, and evaluating your performance. A good rule of thumb is to take the first 15 minutes of your day to plan the day. Prioritize tasks and set time limits on how long you will devote to performing each one. At the end of the day, look back at how well you measured up to the goals you set. If you didn't accomplish what you wanted, ask yourself why and plan to improve.
3. Get focused - Do one thing at a time, identify time wasters and eliminate distractions. Set aside time during the day to return phone calls, catch up on social media, and surf the web. All of these things, while they have lots of positive benefits, can eat up your day and lead to wasted time.
4. Get Organized - Consolidate and organize your email, and update all your social media accounts at once.
5. Set up Your Office Properly - Respect your office by keeping it neat and clean. Thriving in a messy, cluttered office gets old really quick so get comfortable and keep only your essential items on top of your desk. Go mobile to get a change of scenery. Grab your laptop and work in the park, in a local coffee house or cafe.  This does a lot to get the creative juices flowing, takes you away from some of those distractions and clears your mind.
6. Get help - Outsource some of your non core tasks to free up time to concentrate on the reason you went into business in the first place.  Hire a virtual assistant to perform tasks that you don't have time for, like creating that brochure you've been putting off for three months, keeping track of your schedule, updating your social media pages and "tweets", ordering items for events, etc. Learn from other freelancers by participating in freelancer forums. They are a great way to network and learn from those who have been where you are. Share a few tips of your own. 

Please feel free to contact me and share some of your experiences. Read the original story By Tim Mercer.

6 Simple Ways For Freelancers To Increase Productivity | How-To | Smashing Magazine