As a freelancer, entrepreneur, or everyday office worker, there is typically not enough time accomplish all of or tasks. As the business world kicks it into high gear and adapts forums, message boards, and social networking sites as ways to communicate, it's very difficult to remain productive.
Each of these new methods of communication have a heady siren song that can be difficult to resist. It is possible, however, to maintain productivity levels. Like most things, it's all about discipline. My simple tips will help you on your quest:
- Schedule Time for Social Networking: Forum marketing, social networking sites, and casual relationship building are all crucial in the business world. However, they can quickly take over and monopolize your time. Schedule time each day or week to socialize, and stick to the schedule. Doing so will allow you to form necessary connections, without hurting your business in the process.
- Limit Email: Far too many people attempt to respond to each email in real time, seriously damaging their productivity. Limit email checking to certain times daily, and you'll be amazed as you watch your productivity soar. You may need to add an autoresponder message or note in your email signature file noting your new hours, until clients catch on.
- Utilize Your Energy: Humans naturally experience energy highs and lows throughout the day. Take the time to pay attention to your highs hit and learn to schedule activities accordingly. If you know, for example, that you find it difficult to focus in the afternoon, plan to use this time for socializing, networking, and responding to email. Use your more focused energy times for detailed work that requires deep concentration.
- Master Organization Tools: Without the right tools to organize your day and your life, you'll struggle to compete with large companies. To give yourself the best edge, learn to use some nifty organization tools and hold your own.
- Plan Your Day: Be your own executive assistant and plan your day out the night before, you'll get twice as much done. First make a list of all the tasks you have for tomorrow, then go the extra mile and actually schedule it into a calendar with specific times. It may take you a while to estimate a task's time, but you'll get better at it as you go along.
Do you have any other tips that you have found make you more productive as a freelancer? Share in the comments!
Written by Pinny Cohen of Life of an Internet Entrepreneur.
