Being a freelancer comes with its own unique set of rewards. You can choose your clients, and ensure they have a similar ethos to yourself. You can control your workload and don’t have to beg an HR department for a day off here, or a doctor’s appointment there. Ultimately, you have the freedom to do the work you want to do, for the payment that you see fit. It makes sense that more people are choosing to go down this route.However, to be successful as a freelancer, you need to have the ability to get things done, without a boss breathing down your neck. While this lifestyle is not for everyone, there are some things you can do to improve your productivity and make it as a freelancer.
Take Breaks and Find a Change of Scenery
Taking breaks is good for your productivity. It helps keep you motivated and stops you from feeling overwhelmed. While in a normal office setting, it can become obvious when to take a break, butwhen you are working as a freelancer and managing your workload, taking time for yourself can be one of the first things to go out the window. So, schedule 10-15 minute breaks throughout your working day. Go for a short walk, drink a hot cup of tea, or chat with your friends. If you have a smartwatch, you can use it to schedule break reminders too.
In addition to having short breaks throughout the working day, it can also help your productivity to enjoy a change of scenery. Home working comes with a whole host of distractions, whether it’s family, kids, pets, or chores waiting to be done, often it helps to get out. The Lenovo Ideapad 1 Series is a super thin and light portable laptop, perfect for freelancers to grab and go. So, grab your laptop and head to a coffee shop, a friend’s house, or even a co-working space. A change of scenery is sure to help improve your productivity and may even give you some fresh ideas.
Use a Calendar and Prioritize
Get organized. A great way to stay on top of your projects and to-dos is to enter them into your calendar. You can block time for specific tasks which will give you a visual cue to remind you what you should be getting on with.
Organizing your daily, weekly, and monthlytasks into manageable to-do’s will set you up for greatness.It will also ensure nothing gets missed, and you’re not left flapping at the last second. While scheduling large projects, it’s advisable to block off more time than you think you’ll need. This way, you can focus on creating quality work and won’t need to rush.
Maintain a Realistic Workload
Although it may sound obvious, it can be tough for freelancers who are just starting. While your client list is still growing, it can be tempting to accept any work that comes your way, but it’s of the utmost importance to be realistic with how much time you have. Accepting too much work will leave you burnt out and struggling to cope, while accepting less will give you time to create high-quality work. Quality work will attract more customers as your progress, so don’t worry about turning down a few jobs to prioritize your time.