Working for
yourself is highly rewarding, yet it comes with a lot of responsibility. YOU
have to get the work done, or it won’t get done at all. YOU have to navigate
what’s important, what isn’t, and what’s slowing you down. YOU are responsible
for your own productivity, and in turn, your own success.
I’ve been
involved in two business startups. Right now, I’m working full time as a
business partner with my dad. In the evenings, I’m focused on finishing a
novel, developing short stories, and keeping up with my blog. Since I’m my own
boss, I set my own schedule, and it’s up to me to get my work done. The problem with all of this is, I’m the
king of procrastination. I wish I wasn't, but I am. It's so easy for me to slack off and let my work fall to the
wayside – which results in stress and overwhelming “catch-up” days. However, I’ve
learned a few simple tricks that help me stay on track. Whether
you have your own business now, are the process of starting one, see if these
basic tools help your productivity.
Consistent
Schedule
There’s a myth
that entrepreneurs (especially bloggers and writers) have the luxury of
sleeping in, working in their pajamas, and doing whatever they want whenever they
want. While this may be true for a few lucky people, it isn’t for the rest of
us. A consistent schedule is absolutely necessary for staying on track. Even
though I could begin my work day
whenever I like, I’ve found that I’m most productive when I am consistent. This
means getting up at the same time every day, maintaining a morning routine,
starting work at the same time, ordering my tasks, and following through with them. Since
I have both my day job, and my blogging/writing/creative endeavors, it is very
important that I stick to my schedule so that I have time for every aspect of my
life and nothing slips to the wayside. Sure, distractions will rise, but my schedule is always there to fall back on. Also, sleeping in is a rare luxury, and working
in my pajamas – that never happens.
Breakfast
I know, this is
so basic, but it’s something that needs to be said. I used to get up and go
straight to work. Yes, skipping breakfast allowed for an extra half hour of sleep,
but it subtracted from my overall productivity. My mind was foggy and my energy
level was down. Of course, I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I started eating
breakfast every day. While I thought skipping breakfast made my mind clearer
and more focused, it actually did just the opposite. I got super skinny (I already have a skinny butler look about me and it was getting worse), and I
ended up feeling lightheaded and sick from low blood sugar levels. Now I give
myself plenty of time to eat. It took some getting
used to, but now I can work longer and get more done.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I’m not going to
argue.
Hustle
Once again, I’m
referring to the myth that self-employed people can work at their own leisure. Realty
is, if you're self-employed and work at your own leisure, you won’t be
self-employed for long. If you dream of starting your own business, you have to
hustle. This means you have to work harder than those around you. It means
getting up early and staying up late. Don’t set your work aside for “me time”
or a “deserved break.” Your work is only finished when your work is done.
This is especially true for those of use who have a day job. It’s so tempting
to get home and watch Netflix or play the latest COD game (and let me tell you,
it’s something I struggle with every day). But reality is, watching TV or playing
a video game never created a business plan, developed a marketing idea, or
wrote a blog post. After I finish my work for the day, I go straight to my
keyboard and start typing. Only after I’ve completed my goals do I
take some time to relax. Work first, play later. Hustle.
Turn Off The WIFI
I’m putting this
one down especially for us bloggers, though it could apply to anyone who works from a computer or smartphone. Turn of the WIFI. There is no greater distraction
than the Internet. How many times have you sat down to write and ended up
spending the next hour on Facebook or researching something that didn’t really need to be researched? I’ve done it
many times. The Internet is a great tool, but it will kill your dreams of self-employment. There are enough interruptions as it
is. Do yourself a favor and turn off the WIFI. You’ll get so much more done if
you do.
Motivated
Mindset
When you work
for yourself, it’s easy to question everything you do. Is it good enough? It
there a better way to complete the task? Will all this work pay off? While it’s
good to be critical of your work, and grow from your experiences, these
questions can bring discouragement which results in lower work performance. Growing
a business takes time and energy. Years can go by before your business name and
reputation are established. And even more years can go by before your making a
comfortable income. Stay optimistic. Someday you’ll get your break, and it will
all be worth it. Don’t give up or slack off just because you can’t see the
light at the end of the tunnel. I remember months of hard work, scarcely making
enough to pay the bills, wondering if a typical nine-to-five job at Sears was
not so bad after all. It can be hard to keep at it. But remember your dreams,
remember why you wanted to be an entrepreneur in the first place, and then work
towards that end. If you stay motivated, chances are, you’ll beat the people
that give up, and you’ll finally reach your goal.
Don’t Overwork
I know I’ve
painted a pretty bleak portrait of self-employment with all this talk about
work, work, work. But at the end of the day, don’t overwork. Reserve some time
for friends and family. Take a day off. If you work too much, you’ll get burned
out, and then your productivity will flatline. I often work six days a week,
from morning to night. However, I reserve an hour or two to relax in the
evenings. And I always take Sundays off - I sleep in, go to church, and in the
afternoons, I hang out with friends or do something fun. Remember, life isn’t
about creating a successful business, but it’s about the relationships you grow
and develop. Take time for what’s most important. A balanced life is the most
productive.
How do you stay
productive? Let me know in the comments below.
All The Best,
Austin
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