If you’re a self-employed worker, chances are that you have one thing in common with the majority of your peers: You’re not getting enough done. Or at least it feels that way. When you have a home business, it sometimes feels as though the work is n e v e r e n d i n g. The list just keeps on getting bigger and your little legs can’t keep up with the hamster wheel.
I can’t be alone in this feeling?!
The only way to combat this is by creating a work environment that allows you to be as productive as possible. Follow this simple tips to become more productive with your home business.
This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. There are only products included that I truly love. I APPRECIATE your support!
Without further ado…here are my best steps to becoming more productive for your home business.
1. Remove Distractions
A lot of people think that they can be productive while watching TV or listening to music, but the truth is that these things are capable of pulling you away from your work.
While it’s not necessarily a bad thing if you do some socializing on the internet now and then, don’t let it interfere with your business! You will find that you are more successful in all areas of life when you have someone trustworthy running your company behind the scenes.
Personally, I’m super guilty in this realm. I will often tell myself… “oh I just like background noise…” and then find myself staring mindlessly into the TV for who knows how long.
2. Aim To Be Productive For 3-5 Hours A Day
It’s far better for your mental health to aim for three hours of productivity during the day than eight hours of half-assed work. I mean…who‘s wise idea was it to create 8-hour work days anyways?!
This way, you’re ensuring that you’re putting in your best effort and not just scraping by. You will also have time for other things in your life, such as family, friends, and that dreaded laundry.
Someday I’d like to be a fly on the wall in a corporate office to see how many hours are truly worked. BUT that’s a job for another time.
P.S. if you work in a cubicle corporate office feel free to reach out with your answer. 😉 I’ll start a research project.
3. Set Aside Specific Times For Different Tasks
One of the best ways to become more productive is to set aside specific times for different tasks. This can include answering emails, making calls, or working on projects.
Not only does this help to ensure that you’re not wasting time, but it also helps to create a sense of structure and organization. When everything has its own time slot, it becomes much easier to stay on top of things.
Make it a routine.
4. Take Breaks
After working for so many years in the normal 9-5 (er 7-6 if you have a teacher schedule like me), you get brainwashed into thinking breaks are terrible. You must appear to be working every waking moment or you are lazy, unproductive, and a waste of the company’s hard-earned penny.
Working constantly without taking breaks can be mentally draining, which will make it difficult for you to focus on your work.
When you need a break, take one and don’t feel guilty about it! This will help to ensure that you return to your tasks with a fresh mind and more energy. Set a timer, do something you enjoy, then get back to it!
5. Set Achievable Goals
It’s important to set achievable goals if you’re going to become more productive at home. For example, instead of saying that you’re going to get through an entire project in one day, aim for finishing certain sections or doing research on the topic at hand.
By setting smaller milestones along the way, you’ll find it easier to finish what needs to be done and avoid unnecessary pressure and stress. Some people might find that setting to-do lists can be helpful in this respect, but it’s important to remember that there are no rules when it comes to getting things done.
6. Don’t Multi-task
We’ve all heard about how multitasking is so beneficial for us, but the truth is that it’s simply not true! When you attempt to do too many things at once, you will end up wasting time and energy on none of them.
I know what you are thinking… no I am actually great at multi-tasking.
You may think so, but I urge you to try putting away the distractions and then compare your work. Just try it. I promise. It’s even backed by science…but I won’t get into all of that here.
Avoid multitasking as much as possible because it can lead to lower quality results, high-stress levels, and an inability to find focus.
For example, if you’re answering emails while watching TV or working on your computer while talking on the phone, you’ll find that your productivity rapidly decreases. By focusing on one task at a time, you’ll find that everything gets done much easier.
7. Make It A Habit
The only way to truly become more productive is by making it a habit. This means that you need to be consistent with your efforts and find ways to make productivity a priority in your life.
One way to do this is by scheduling specific times each day for working on your business. This could be in the morning, after dinner, or even late at night. Just find what works best for you and stick to it!
Want to get your work done before the kids wake up? Start waking up early.
Want to finish the hard work first? Start doing it first. Every. Single. Day.
According to James Clear (author of Atomic Habits), it takes 66 days for something to become a habit. So do not give up so soon.
8. Get Organized
This one should come as no surprise – getting organized is key when it comes to becoming more productive! When everything has its own place, it becomes much easier for you to find what you’re looking for and stay on top of things.
There are plenty of different ways to get organized, so find the method that works best for you and stick with it. Whether it’s using a planner, creating folders on your computer, or color-coding your files, there are plenty of solutions out there.
I suggest starting with a paper planner for your dates and lists and then organizing all of your files in folders in google drive.
9. Create an office that motivates you
One of the best things you can do for your productivity is to create an office that inspires you. This could be as simple as painting the walls a bright color, or investing in a comfortable chair. Whatever makes you happy and motivated, go for it!
10. Create a routine.
When you have a regular routine, you’re able to plan ahead and be more productive. Plan out your day the night before, and try to stick to that plan as closely as possible. This will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
11. Have a to-do list
It’s helpful to have a physical or electronic to-do list that you can refer to throughout the day. This will help keep you on track and make sure that you’re completing all of the necessary tasks.
A tip that works for me is to write out an “unfinished” to-do list the night before. That way when I wake up in the morning to start my day, I can start off strong by crossing off those priorities.
It’s also helpful to organize your list by Must-do’s and May-do’s in order of priority. That way it is a bit less overwhelming. Ask yourself “What needs to be finished today?” And “what would be nice to get finished today?”
12. Reward yourself
When you work for yourself at home, there is no one there to give you that pat on the back that you so deserve. So do it yourself! 🙂 Once you complete a task, reward yourself with something that is motivating and inspiring. This could be anything from taking a break to going out for lunch with a friend. Find what works best for you and stick to it!
Buuuut easy on the rewards. Do not use it as a procrastination technique.
13. Don’t set unrealistic goals
It’s important not to set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals with short deadlines. This will make you feel overwhelmed, which will only lead to procrastination
14 . Use time tracking software
Time tracking software can be a huge help when it comes to becoming more productive. This type of software allows you to keep track of how much time you’re spending on certain tasks, so you can see where you need to make changes.
I really like using Toggl right now!
15. Prioritize your time
When you’re working on a project, it’s important to prioritize your time and make sure that the most important tasks are completed first. This will help to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your day.
16. Take care of unfinished business
If there are any unfinished items from the previous day, try to take care of them as soon as possible. This will help to avoid any distractions or feelings of overwhelming later on in the day.
17. Give yourself grace
Owning your own home business is tough. Although it is nice to be able to work from hard, it’s also hard work. The more you stress the more your productivity will go down. Anyone else avoid tasks when stressed?!
So we will end this with giving yourself grace. Do your best. Use these tools and tips. AND win at the whole home business game!
Conclusion:
The key to productivity is setting up a routine. Once you have that down, the rest of it can be pretty simple. We hope we’ve given you some valuable insight and helped you on your way to becoming more productive in your home business. If there is anything else we can do for you please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Leave a Reply