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Dear freelancers,

One of the greatest freedoms of being self-employed – being able to manage your time independently – is also one of the biggest challenges.

If you don’t structure your day, you won’t make progress. You won’t be able to overcome internal resistance and will see no progress. Below, you’ll find tips on how to boost your productivity and use your time more effectively.

Tip 1: Find your most productive time of the day

Some people are particularly productive/creative in the morning. Others work better during the day, and some are night owls who love working late into the night. Find out when you work best and have the best ideas, and use that time. Settle on a specific time of day.

In my experience, nothing overcomes inner resistance better than routine.

If you need to schedule client appointments (e.g., for video calls or meetings), the morning or afternoon is ideal. Prepare for these meetings the evening before so you don’t waste time in the morning.

One small note – those who consider themselves night owls should keep in mind that working at night is not healthy for your circadian rhythm in the long term and can take a toll on your health. Our bodies are naturally designed to work during the day and rest at night to regenerate. Artificial light is a very recent invention in evolutionary terms and disrupts these natural needs.

Tip 2: Plan your week – Proper prior planning prevents poor performance!

Sit down on Sundays, grab a journal (or your smartphone), and plan your week (similar to a to-do list). Set your priorities: What must be done (A-priorities such as productive/creative work, walking the dog, spending time with family, important appointments, key tasks, bookkeeping, training, exercise, etc.), what should be done (B-priorities, which can be postponed to the next day, like washing dishes, shopping, etc.), and what can be done if time allows (C-priorities). Label each task with a priority. Tackle unpleasant tasks first (the “eat-the-frog-first” principle). Check off what you’ve completed.

Tip 3: Use a tool

There are plenty of apps and tools that can help you plan your week and projects. Use them. Later in this blog, I’ll introduce some of them to you.

Tip 4: Reserve time blocks for specific tasks

Nothing is more frustrating than being interrupted when you’re in the zone. That’s why you should block time for yourself. This time should be fully dedicated to you and your work – even if it’s just a few hours a day when you’re unavailable to others. You’re worth it.

Tip 5: No multitasking

No one can multitask. Science has proven this by now. Unfortunately…

Therefore, focus on one task at a time. If you try to do too much at once, the results will always be subpar, and you’ll never achieve flow. This doesn’t mean you can’t listen to music while you work.

But don’t try to, for example, paint a picture while constantly replying to messages on WhatsApp or Instagram.

Or, if you’re a writer, you might lose your train of thought and get stuck.

Tip 6: Don’t force it

Even if you only write a few words or start a painting – it’s progress. Don’t force it! You can always continue writing or painting later. It’s your work, and you decide when it’s finished.

Tip 7: Don’t hesitate too long – better to start imperfectly than never start at all

Self-explanatory, right? You can prepare as much as you want, but there will be no result unless you take the first step. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s your song, and you’re playing by your own notes. After all, you’re self-employed. No one dictates the melody. You set the pace. But start as soon as possible! Otherwise, internal barriers will become insurmountable.

Tip 8: If you get stuck, change the medium

If you encounter a creative block while writing, try crafting something. Mold something out of clay. If you’re stuck painting, write a short text. Don’t get stuck. It will come naturally! Creativity will return. The “horror vacui” – the fear of the blank page – only exists if you leave the page blank. Once you start producing something, that knot will untie.

Tip 9: Set deadlines

Be honest with yourself about how much work you can complete within a given time. Set realistic deadlines and include buffer time for unforeseen events. For example, if you need to finish a project by the 30th of the month, set a deadline for the 23rd. This way, you’ll have an extra week in case something unexpected comes up or the project takes longer. Don’t need the extra time? Great! Start the next project. Use the remaining buffer. Don’t let a gap form. The secret to success is continuity.

Tip 10: Create a tidy workspace

“If a cluttered desk represents a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk say about the person using it?”
Albert Einstein

If you love chaos, work in chaos. But keep in mind that chaos may lead to spending time searching for things you need to continue your work. This disrupts your flow, and you’ll have to get back into it. Arrange everything you’ll need beforehand.

Tip 11: Take short breaks

Take short (e.g., 5-minute) breaks. Step back and observe your work briefly. If you’ve painted a picture, move away from it for a moment. If you’ve written something, take a step back – not to critique it, but to see the bigger picture and gain new ideas.

Tip 12: Regularly exchange ideas with other freelancers

Regularly exchange ideas with fellow freelancers. Inspire each other. Help each other grow. That’s why I founded freelanceboosters.

Bonus tip: Learn to say no or use waiting lists

As a freelancer, it’s tempting to say yes to every project – after all, every project means income. But be realistic about your capacity. Your time is your most limited resource. Learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your goals, exceed your resources, or involve clients who give you a bad gut feeling. You don’t have to accept every client. Saying no strengthens your ability to say yes to the right opportunities.

Alternatively, use a waiting list. This way, you don’t have to turn down a project entirely. Offer this option to clients – it signals that you’re interested but currently unavailable. A waiting list also shows that your work is in demand. Clients who value your work will be willing to wait a week or even a month longer.

And now?

Pick a few techniques from this list that resonate with you and integrate them into your daily life and work. I hope this blog post has been helpful.

Do you have additional tips or experiences to share? Feel free to write them in the comments! I’m curious, and our community can benefit from them.

Thank you for your time!

Best regards,

Tobias