For the most part, being a solopreneur means it’s you, yourself and, well, you. You are the team, and it’s up to you to make sure everything gets done on time and is done well. But it’s a big feat to accomplish, and as we all know, things don’t always go according to plan. A lot of the time, productivity is an issue.
So, for those of you looking to boost your productivity a bit, I thought I’d lay down some tips that help me get things done more productively.
It’s All About That Routine
If you’re anything like me, you love the solopreneur life because of its amazing flexibility. But flexibility comes at a price, and if you’re the boss, you’re also the one that needs to set the limits, make the decisions and keep things on track. Oh, and you’re the one that has to do it all.
Setting yourself up with a routine that works best for you can positively impact your productivity. A lot of people recommend setting up a “morning routine,” but I personally find that I have more and less productive times throughout the day. So instead of setting a strict “wake up at 9 am, from 9 to 9:15 read the news, at 9:15 start answering emails…” routine, I have more of a block routine that flows and changes as I need it to. If you need some extra support for your mornings, then you can also try supplements such as Gundry MD, for example, so you can have that much-needed boost when you start your day.
Productivity Needs Focus
Focus is a tough one for me. I’m an ideas person, so I am constantly thinking of new things and starting them (not good). I can’t tell you how many lists of things I want to do and documents with two lines in them I have… seriously, I can’t tell you because I’m afraid to look. For you to boost your productivity, you really have to focus.
For me, focusing means setting a specific time limit for projects along with setting aside specific time where I can brainstorm and daydream. It also means having a pen and paper beside me at all times so I can jot down anything that I just can’t seem to get out of my head because for me, writing something down helps clear the space.
If you’re struggling with your productivity, make sure you clear your distractions so you can focus. That means no multitasking and setting aside specific task time. It also helps to break down your project and schedule some actual breaks!
Batch Where You Can
Batching your work together can take a ton of time off your plate. Instead of flipping from email to project to website back end to email again, back to project then… you get the point. This is where my “block” routine comes in really handy for me. I find that once I’m on a roll with something I can keep going and time just flies by (and I get a lot done).
If have three finance articles to work on, chances are I’ll work on them in a batch because it keeps up the flow. Likewise, I answer my emails at specific points in the day (usually around 9 a.m., 1 p.m., somewhere between 4 and 6 p.m. and around 11 p.m.) instead of constantly flipping to that screen.
Treat Your Workers Well
Yes, your “workers” is mostly you. And perhaps a contractor or two that you might delegate some work too (if you have an employee, you’re not technically a solopreneur). When I outsource my work, I build great relationships with contractors and thus get a great return on investment. But when it comes to dealing with employee number one, I can be a bit strict and unforgiving.
Employee number one is a great worker, but she doesn’t always get things done as fast as I’d like and once we hit hour 10 of the day, I notice that she slacks off a bit (seriously, we have work to do).
You deserve to be treated with the amount and respect that you expect others to treat you with. That means sometimes slowing down, taking breaks and having actual time off every once-in-a-while. Because the thing about employee number one is that if she (or he) quits, the company’s screwed. And that will really tank your productivity.
Increasing Your Productivity
When it comes to increasing productivity, different things work for different people. You’ll likely have to try a few things out and figure out what works best for you. And once you find something you might have to change it down the road if it starts to not work. Productivity is a never-ending struggle, but chances are if you’re a solopreneur you’re dedicated and passionate enough to figure it out.
What productivity tips help you accomplish your tasks? Share them below!
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Tae started out as a journalist before following the money into the corporate world. But it turns out that the grass isn’t always greener and now you can find her spending most of her time writing about all the things she loves. Namely, money, travel and business with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. She is a podcast fanatic, blogging aficionado and loves to find new ways to turn passions into cold hard cash!
