5 Productivity and Mental Health Hacks for Distracted Freelancers and Entrepreneurs
Imagination fuels creativity, but it’s bad for admin.
Working as a freelance writer was always my dream, but it’s a lot more than an expensive laptop and enviable remote office locations.
In fact, I spend most of my days within the same four blue walls in New York, surrounded by books, stationery, and art supplies that continue to go unused.
Freelancing is a blessing and a curse, and the freedom that comes with it can sometimes lead to distractions. This is why I’ve found it so helpful to have healthy habits that impact both my work and my mental health.
Poor productivity always leads to the same guilt-fueled cycle of negative self-talk and doubt. So, if you’re finding it hard to muster up motivation lately, or need to strengthen your routine, chances are you’ll find some value in these practices.
Keep in mind that I’m not claiming I’ve invented any of these ideas. But, these are some of the things that I found most useful in my own experience.
- Set timers
If you’ve ever felt like you needed a metaphorical kick in the butt to get yourself on track at work, consider time-blocking your new best friend. All you need to do is set a timer for which you do nothing except for the specific task. For me, this creates a sense of urgency, which is essential when you’re in complete control of how you spend your time.
You can use the clock app on your phone, but I prefer to use a physical block timer I found on Amazon. This way, I won’t feel inclined to scroll through anything on my phone when it’s time to reset the timer. You can also search Google for a timer and do it from your desktop.
If you’re not sure how long you want your time blocks to be, consider the “Pomodoro Method” coined by Frances Cocirillo. According to his experiences, the most ideal timeframe for productivity is working for 25 minutes and then taking a 2–5 minute break.
If you continue this throughout your day, you might come to find that tasks feel more manageable. Pick whatever timeframe you want, the simple act of setting a deadline makes it easier to get started.
2. Task batching
Whether you’re a writer, content creator, or even a lawyer, this is going to be the game changer in your routine. Take some time to write down all your typical work tasks and consider deadlines throughout the week for each.
The purpose here is to lump repetitive work together during the same window of time. This is much more efficient than repeating a full start-to-finish process for each project, task, or piece of content you create.
For example, most podcasters have one day a week when they publish new episodes. After recording, it’s time to create promotional content for social media. To ensure that things don’t become overwhelming, many creators choose a specific day to record. This leaves them with enough time to edit and create content before it needs publishing. So it helps to break things up into a recording day, editing day, social planning/posting day, etc.
Of course, everyone’s work day looks different, especially for those in creative fields. Whatever the nature of your business is, consider how you might batch your own work to save yourself time and reduce burnout.
As a writer, I like to batch admin tasks as often as possible because it helps me keep things organized and ensure they have an allotted period to get done. Before I start on any work, I check emails, the freelancing platforms I’m on, and any other channels where I receive inquiries.
3. Replace scrolling with strolling
Taking short breaks throughout the day is a great way to avoid burnout, and give yourself a chance to recharge. Instead of reaching for your phone and slumping over at your desk, get up and move!
Take it up a notch and create a playlist for this time of the day, or choose one of your favorites on whichever platform you use. Don’t forget to use the shuffle feature so it doesn’t feel repetitive. You can also tune into your favorite motivational podcast while you walk, so you feel refreshed and inspired when you return to work. Use this time as a little reprieve to recharge and indulge in something positive.
Don’t forget to track your steps for a little extra accomplishment boost. Sometimes it helps our brains to feel like we’ve checked something off without exerting too much energy. I’ll go into more depth on this another day when I get into habit tracking!
4. Take inventory of your habits
If you work from home, do you have a tendency to feel motivated to deep clean as an important deadline is approaching? You know that you’d feel better if you started now but there’s something about wiping down those baseboards that’s calling you.
Self-awareness is key here, and knowing what supports your less-desirable tendencies will go a long way.
Take note of the things you tend to gravitate toward when you should be focusing on productivity. Whether it’s rearranging your office space or running errands you’ve put off, know your distractions and plan ahead.
Being a freelancer is rewarding but it can get overwhelming fast. So pay attention to the things that tend to run you off course and create a realistic routine you feel confident in.
5. Give yourself the same grace you’d give a friend
Remember, no one is perfect. So don’t beat yourself up if you miss some days or have to switch up your schedule to make things work sometimes. What matters the most is that you try and continue to show up for yourself.
It’s a lot easier to get yourself refocused and back on task when you aren’t bogged down by a bunch of negative self-talk. Next time you feel overwhelmed, try to imagine how you’d respond if your friend was telling you they feel exactly how you’re feeling right now.
What small actions would you suggest to help them regain a sense of control or purpose? What tough love advice would come to mind? Be gentle (but honest) with yourself and you will grow.
You’ve heard or seen this advice somewhere before, and I did too, WELL before I ever put any of it into practice. So I’m here to reinforce that these things do work.
