Being a freelancer is the dream for many. And it’s not very hard to see why. Everyone who’s braved a commute to work on a windy, rainy and pitch black Monday morning has fantasized about rolling out of bed, brushing their teeth and opening their laptop to start their working day in the comfort of their home office while those outside their windows scurry in the rain. And while it’s fair to say that freelancing has a number of incredible benefits, it’s safe to say that it also has more than its share of caveats. Freelancers, for instance, are completely accountable for their own productivity, and without a workplace or a boss to lend their day structure, that can be harder than one may think. 

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Like any small business, a freelancer’s time is money and they need to be sure not to waste a second of it, lest they find that their productivity takes a nosedive. Here we’ll look at some practical timesaving tips for busy freelancers to ensure that they keep up with client demand, hit their deadlines and consistently deliver the quality that keeps commissions coming.

Eliminate distractions

A few seconds spent refreshing your Twitter feed, making the odd contribution to your Facebook group chat, uploading a photo of your beautifully made flat white to Instagram… it all ads up. Our phones have become a part of us now to the point where not using them can feel like severing a limb. However, social media, games and other time wasting activities can encroach on your valuable time.

Keep your phone in your desk drawer and use distraction blocking plugins to prevent yourself from being tempted by social media desktop sites, Flash games and other activities. 

Use templates wherever possible

Do you ever feel like you’re creating the same thing over and over and over again. Why not make it easier for yourself and create some adjustable templates which you can amend with each commission that comes along. While content spinning is frowned upon, using a common structure and shaping it to the needs of each task is an acceptable and efficient time saving technique. 

Use Cloud Based Applications

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to increase productivity is take yourself out of the office. A change of scenery (and the act of walking itself) can work wonders for flagging productivity. Use cloud based solutions like Office 365 to ensure that wherever you go and whatever device you’re using, you’re always using the most up to date version of your software. In the 2020s the workplace is pretty much wherever you want it to be.

Make time for meaningful breaks

Finally, sometimes doing nothing for a few minutes is the best thing you can do to boost your productivity. It can give your brain a chance to unwind and ensure that you return to your keyboard refreshed. Go for a short walk. Listen to some music or an audiobook. Make yourself a cup of peppermint tea. Make time for meaningful breaks and you’ll find that you spend much less time staring at a blank screen, wringing your hands with frustration.