This article has been contributed by Mark Quadros. Whether you’re new to freelancing , haven’t started, or you’ve been around the freelancing block a time or two, staying productive in a unique work environment isn’t always easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you’re looking for easy ways to boost your productivity as a freelancer, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn about some of my favorite work-at-home productivity hacks so you can start owning the day instead of letting it own you. Your brain, clients and bottom line will be glad you did! 1. Start Your Day With a Productive Morning Choosing your own hours is one of the biggest advantages of working as a freelancer. While it’s important to work within your productivity window, it’s also important to start your day on the right foot. Whether you wake up at 4 am or 10 am, a productive morning routine sets the foundation for a productive day and leaves you feeling energized and ready to roll. This is especially helpful if you find yourself dragging your feet or you feel unmotivated to get to work. So, stop setting that second (or third… or fourth) alarm and use that extra time to create a healthy morning routine that works for you, your schedule and your lifestyle. Because when you know exactly what to do every morning, you save precious brainpower for what matters most. 2. Set a Daily Schedule and Stick to It Flexibility is a common reason people leave their full-time jobs for the freelancing hustle. That said, setting a daily schedule makes it easier to: Cross everything off your to-do list Ensure you have enough time to get everything done Focus on one activity at a time Move things around if you have to Set priorities Example: If you hate responding to client emails or other customer-service related tasks , prioritize these first so you don’t agonize over them. Or if you know it’s a beautiful day, you can schedule time off to take the dogs for a walk. Ultimately, setting a schedule and sticking to it means you can schedule blocks of time to focus on similar tasks (since this is scientifically easier on your brain ). Which… results in a higher level of productivity throughout the day. 3. Create a Designated Working Space According to work from home statistics, around 80% of remote workers work from their homes (as opposed to public spots). So, whether you’re working from home, a hotel room, or freelancing abroad , designating an area for work helps your brain kick into work mode. It’s like grabbing the leash and watching your dog start spinning in circles and jumping for joy. Okay, maybe it isn’t that simple. But it IS a similar concept. When you regularly work in your designated area, your brain starts to associate the space and objects in it with getting things done. Just like your dog’s brain associates his (or her) leash with going […]
