Some Tips for Concentrating from a Freelancer

Here are a few tips for concentrating from a freelancer. I have found freelancing is a great way to learn concentration so I have a few concentrating tips to pass on.

The most important tips for concentrating I have learned in a decade of freelancing and working from home include:

Avoid multitasking like the plague

I find multitasking to be the kiss of death for productivity. Notably, when I multi-task I do the most fun activity first and ignore everything else. In fact, boring and unpleasant activities never seem to get done when I multi-task.

Do the most important thing first

If something is important, do it first. For example, I now start my day by doing the most important activity. In fact, I make it a point not to touch email or social media until I complete the important task. Notably I prioritize paying work from clients.

Concentrate on one task at a time

The only way to complete a writing assignment is to concentrate on one task at once. If you are writing; write, and if you are editing: edit. Do not write and edit at the same time. Instead, schedule one activity at a time.

Plan and schedule

General Eisenhower once said, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

This means plans are useless but planning your day will make you more productive. Planning helps you get more done because planning requires you to sit down and think about your work.

Even a simple plan; such as write for two hours and check email and social media around 10 O’clock, is better than no plan. A big advantage to planning is that you can contain distractions like email and social media.

Therefore, have a plan for your day’s work but don’t sweat if the plan doesn’t work out. I find I’m more productive if I sit and down and plan my work the day before or first thing in the morning. Notably, planning helps you see what resources you have.

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

When you plan; first, go over your work and decide what is most important. Second, do the most important work first. My third suggestion is to put the less important stuff aside until you have completed the big job.

One trick I find to prioritizing is to complete the paying work first. Then move on to the unpaid stuff. In addition, do the highest paying work first. Instead, prioritize the work by the level of payment. If clients complain, tell them they will need to increase the pay if they want the work done sooner.

Schedule freelancing like a job

That is have a starting and stopping point. For example, start at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. and stop at 4 or p.m. just like at work. The best point to stop during the day is when you feel tired or bored. Generally, I find I get little done after 4 p.m. so I stop around then.

Take breaks

Try to take a break every one or two hours and at least break in the day for a walk, exercise or lunch. Usually, I am a lot more productive if I take two or three hours off to take a walk and run errands in mid-afternoon.

Don’t eat in your work area.

Instead, take a regular meal break somewhere else. For instance, go into the kitchen and eat a hot lunch there instead of a sandwich at your desk. Food distracts and can ruin your work. In fact, going out to lunch is a great way to refresh your mind. I find I am refreshed even if I take a brown bag to the park.

Understand which distractions are most likely to keep you from work and eliminate them

If something; like television, video games, your smartphone, dirty dishes, that pile of unpaid bills etc. will distract you, get it out of your work area. If you cannot something out of the work area hide. For instance, cover the TV or stick the unpaid bills or the smartphone in the drawer. Taking a little time to identify and eliminate the biggest distractions will make you more productive.\

If possible, create a dedicated distraction free work area

Even if lock yourself in your bedroom or the basement with the computer do this. Generally, the more distractions the less you will get done.

Ideally, a freelancer needs an office dedicated to nothing but work. Even if that is impossible, try to create an area where you can concentrate.

Notably, some freelancers end up renting an office or an apartment just for work. In fact, wealthier individuals go to even greater lengths to concentrate. For example, J.K. Rowling has checked herself into a hotel to be alone and distraction free to meet deadlines.

Remember the fewer distractions the better. Just eliminating a few big distractions will increase productivity.

Concentration is the key to success as a freelancer. If you cannot concentrate as a freelancer seriously consider returning to the nine-to-five grind.

Some Tips for Concentrating from a Freelancer was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.