Are you a freelancer struggling to find enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone. According to a study by The Freelancers Union, nearly one-third of American workers are now freelancers, and that number is only going to grow.
So, how do you manage your time effectively when there are so many distractions and demands on your attention? Here are 10 proven ways to get more done and increase your productivity!
#1 – Wake Up Early and Get a Head Start on the Day
Waking up early can be an excellent way to maximize your productivity: it gives you more time in the day, ensures that you start the day right with energy and motivation, and lets you plan your day in more detail. With more hours in the morning to focus on tasks and metrics, you’re likely to find yourself achieving better results over time.
Boosting rituals like doing something productive or having a cup of coffee before starting work can also help set you in motion for the day. Time-blocking techniques like planning out which specific tasks to do at what time set can help keep track of your progress and make sure things don’t fall through the cracks. Waking up early is just one component of successful time management forms freelancers – but it’s one of the most important!
#2 – Set a Daily Schedule and Stick to It
Creating and sticking to a daily schedule is an effective way to stay organized and increase productivity. Time management tips like setting time limits, building breaks into your day, planning ahead, and allocating tasks can help you reach your goals while avoiding burnout.
Moreover, a structured routine gives you the opportunity to focus on specific tasks at dedicated times and can make all the difference between success and failure as a freelancer. When it comes to accomplishing tasks and being productive, nothing beats setting up a daily plan of action and actively following it!
#3 – Get Organized with a To-do List
Staying organized can help make tackling freelance tasks easier. One great way to stay organized is by creating a to-do list and following it closely. A good to-do list should include the goal, the reasons for completing that goal, the steps necessary to complete each goal, and the timeline for completion.
Many studies have shown the power of simply writing down your tasks – it makes them seem more concrete and less daunting. By keeping all important dates and agendas documented in one place, you can quickly reference and adjust as needed without having to search through notes or emails. Plus, nothing will ever be forgotten! Keeping a thorough to-do list can make managing as a freelancer much simpler and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
#4 – Don’t Procrastinate
Many freelancers struggle with procrastination and it can quickly become a habit if not dealt with properly. To ensure that your productivity doesn’t suffer, it’s important to take control of your time and plan for success by avoiding procrastination. It can be helpful to set specific goals and objectives so that you have something specific to work toward each day – this helps maintain focus and prevent yourself from getting distracted.
For example, create a list of tasks at the beginning of each day and allocate a certain number of hours to each one – this way, you’ll stay on track and know exactly what needs to be done before moving on to the next item on your list. Time management is key to achieving success as a freelancer!
#5 – Take Breaks Throughout the Day to Stay Fresh
Time management can be difficult for freelancers, but taking regular breaks throughout the day is a great way to stay fresh and inspired. Whether it’s taking a few minutes to stretch your legs, listening to music, or chatting with a friend on the phone, using these breaks to step away from work and recharge your batteries helps create the balance you need for long-term productivity.
Not only will you stay more focused when grinding through tasks, but you’ll also have a newfound sense of enthusiasm that’s sure to result in improved work quality. Time management tips like incorporating breaks are essential to keeping freelancing – and other kinds of remote work – running smoothly!
#6 – Prioritize Your Tasks by Importance
Prioritizing tasks by importance is a great way to help you manage your time efficiently. An effective technique is to create a “5 Most Important Tasks” list and concentrate on completing these first. Start your day with what you feel passionately about, that way when you hit bumps throughout the day, you have the energy and enthusiasm to keep going.
Additionally, making sure that tasks are properly scheduled and broken down into smaller chunks can help save time when working on bigger projects. Time tracking apps are also helpful so that you can plan how much time certain tasks will take and track progress against a timeline. Freelancers need to learn how to prioritize their tasks in order to maximize productivity – following these simple tips can ensure excellent time management.
#7 – Set Deadlines for Yourself and Make Sure You Meet Them
Establishing deadlines allows you to narrow down the scope of a task, set more attainable goals instead of long-term goals that may take weeks or months of work to complete, and keeps you motivated to stay on top of unexpected tasks as they occur. By setting clear deadlines for yourself, you’re able to prioritize and focus on finishing projects in a timely manner.
Start by taking some time upfront to create an effective plan, making sure to include realistic milestones so that you can easily track your progress along the way. You will also feel a sense of accomplishment when meeting key milestones while still staying ahead of the due date!
#8 – Eliminate Distractions by Turning off Your Phone
One of the most distracting sources these days is our phones, which constantly give us access to texts and emails from clients or social media that can easily take away our focus. By taking steps to turn off our cell phones, we can reduce these distractions and keep ourselves more focused on the task at hand.
Turning off our phones removes any temptation to linger in a distraction instead of completing essential work on time. Additionally, it creates an environment in which we are free to concentrate without any interruptions taking us away from what needs to be done. Keeping our phones turned off when tackling tasks as a freelancer is key for successful time management.
#9 – Break Down Big Projects into Smaller Ones
Breaking down big projects into smaller, manageable tasks can be beneficial in many ways. It’s easier to stay on track and keep your eye on the goal when you take small steps toward it. Additionally, breaking down big projects into smaller ones helps you stay organized and focused so that you can finish the entire project faster. This leaves more time for other projects and ensures that each task is given full attention and focus.
Time will be saved by not having to double back on complicated projects and it’s easier to quantify progress when working within small, specific goals. Freeing up some mental energy by micromanaging your larger-scale projects can also help in other areas of your work or life. Time management tips for freelancers should always include breaking things down so don’t let it fall off your list.
#10 -Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate Tasks to Others
Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others when you are feeling overwhelmed or short on time. This will free up more of your own to stay on top of projects and maintain the highest standard of quality.
By enlisting the help of advisors, colleagues, or even virtual assistants, you can quickly shift responsibilities and make sure that you focus on the aspects of the job which provide the greatest return on investment in terms of time and results. Learning how to ask for help is often one of the hardest lessons for freelancers, but delegating work can be an invaluable tool when it comes to time management tips for freelancers.
Conclusion
Do you want to be more productive and get more freelance work done? Implementing some or all of these time management tips should help. Of course, every freelancer is different and what works for one person might not work for another, so find the techniques that work best for you and stick with them. What are your favorite time management tips for freelancers?
