How to become productive freelancers
Credit to Author: JOSH MASCARIÑAS| Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:59:54 +0000
One of the advantages of working as a freelancer is having flexible work hours. However, just because you have full control over your workload doesn’t mean you can slack off the whole day. This scenario happens when no one’s supervising your work–you procrastinate until it’s time to cram so you can finish your project.
Let the following practices help you use your time efficiently so you can lead a fruitful freelancing career.
Designate workspace
Who doesn’t want to reply to emails or write an article while sitting on a cozy couch or a comfortable bean bag? Who doesn’t want to sit back and relax while working? As much as you want to integrate work life and home, it’s imperative to designate an extra room you can use as an office–a portion of your kitchen table or even a small desk in your bedroom. This allows you to focus and work, explains Viola Drancolia, a New York-based clinical psychologist. She had witnessed her clients being productive after creating an environment that fosters space to think freely.
Keep phone away
Checking your social media accounts while working hinders you from accomplishing your tasks. The cognitive resources or your attention to work decreases when you have your phone in sight, PhD candidate at Cambridge University Itamar Shatz sayss. Knowing your phone is within reach tempts you to use it. In effect, your focus reduces, Shatz adds.
Refrain from “One sec. I’ll just check my IG or Twitter” and hide your smartphone when it’s time to work. Don’t let notifications tempt you to reach your phone because they won’t get your work done. Put a distance between you and your phone or hide it inside a drawer or bag where you can’t see it.
Start big tasks
Challenge yourself to tick off bigger tasks. This practice helps maintain the quality of your decision-making as you deal with important matters first. A change in your daily routine can help you deal with permanent sources of stress such as work pressure and personal problems. Prioritize your most important task of the day. Start from the most crucial to the least important task. Momentum is vital so maintain it until all tasks are done.
Plot, follow working schedule
Start the day by looking at your calendar and noting down every task and its corresponding deadline. Be specific when it comes to plotting your duties for the day especially those with stricter deadlines. Everyday, schedule your to-do list and allot a spare time to work on events and occasions that come up unexpectedly.
This method helps you stay on track. It also determines when to pause for a break. To make this practice more effective, free up some time on your calendar to make sure that other commitments aren’t affected.
Quick break
Take short breaks to free your eyes from long hours of staring at your computer screen. Seize this opportunity to run some errands like shopping for groceries or doing your laundry. Take advantage of these breaks. They will help you refresh your brain and refocus your attention so you can have a better perspective of pending tasks.
Maintain a composed work attitude by checking your well-being regularly. If you feel tense, agitated, or irritated, you’re probably overwhelmed with your tasks. Get some fresh air. Get back to work with a calm and oriented mind. Set a reminder in which you have to assess yourself and have control over your emotional state.
If you need more time after working on a tedious project, help yourself and schedule longer breaks. Just make sure work is done afterward.
Clear out your “digital office”
Since most of your work takes place in your computer, it’s important to declutter files that distract you from being productive. Delete documents you no longer need. Open unread emails and mark important messages so you can easily find them later on. Being digitally organized helps you identify the important and unimportant parts of your work.
Know your limits when trying to achieve productivity. Don’t let too much workload eat up time meant for your personal life. You don’t have to stress yourself just to meet deadlines. You have to work smartly. Remember, as long as you have full control over your work, you can lead a more prolific freelancer life.
Josh Mascariñas is a content writer at MoneyMax.ph. Save money on car insurance, credit cards, and loans when you compare and apply at www.moneymax.ph! Visit our website to know more.
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