Being a freelancer means you get to set your own hours, establish your own rates, and work in the comfort of your own home. It’s the kind of job that anyone would dream of. But like most careers, there are some drawbacks. One of the biggest struggles of working from home is staying motivated and productive throughout the entire day. You are your own boss after all. No one is there to tell you what to do. What are some of the tried and true productivity tips so you can feel accomplished while working from home?
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that trying to fit it all in as a mom, wife, and freelancer has its challenges! But I’ve also learned a thing or two about how to combat those thoughts of “I rather just go to the park with my boys,” or “maybe I’ll just take a quick nap and get back to this project a little later. Today, I am sharing 5 productivity tips for working from home. So let’s dive in so you can get back to work!
Productivity Tip #1: Set a timer
Set a timer for 45 minutes and see how much you can get done. Take a 5 minute break and jump right back into it. You’ll be amazed with how much you can fit in.
During that 45 minute time block be sure to eliminate any and all distractions….yes, that includes your phone. By doing so, you will have blocks of uninterrupted time to truly devote to your work.
Productivity Tip #2: Batch similar tasks together
Instead of working on everything and anything in one sitting, batch similar tasks together. Work on one client account for the day, crank out all of your social media graphics, or work on the back end of your business for the day instead of bouncing between all three.
Productivity Tip #3: Use a project management tool
This is one of my favorite productivity tips: using a digital project management tool like ClickUp or Asana! This can be a life saver. This is the most robust way to keep day to day tasks organized.
You can use a project management tool to organize client work, your own to-do list, and basically everything in between.
Productivity Tip #4: Take quick breaks to reset
This ties back to tip #1. Instead of trying to work for 5 hours straight, schedule in little breaks. 5 minutes here and there is perfect. Or add in a longer one to go on a quick walk around the block.
By taking quick breaks, it allows your mind and body to recharge so you can continue to crank out high quality work.
Productivity Tip #5: Prepare everything the day before
When I was a teacher, I always prepped everything the day before. Before I closed my classroom door for the day, I made sure my schedule was set for the next day, copies were made, and lesson plans were ready to go.
The same now applies as a business owner. Before I end my day, I like to prepare for the day ahead. That might mean checking my calendar for the next day, having notes ready to go for a podcast guest, or making sure I have what I need to conduct my weekly call with my team.
Bonus tip: Prep your personal life the night before as well. If you have kids that will need lunches for school, have them ready to go the night before. I even like to prepare my own lunch sometimes. You can also have grab and go breakfast pre-made, clothes laid out, and workout gear ready to go so you can wake up and immediately get your day off to a solid start.
I would love to hear your favorite productivity tip. Head over to IG and send me a DM!
Rooting you on!
Aubree
