The much-quoted saying "time is money" is part of everyday life for every freelancer. Because if you can't manage your time properly or use time inefficiently, there are risks that you make less profit. But efficient time management has other advantages as well. Among other things, it strengthens your work-life balance. Here are 11 practical time management tips for freelancers.
1 - Prioritize your work
If you're a freelancer with many different client projects on your plate, you can quickly lose track of them. Deadlines for projects or sprints can then quickly get lost in the chaos. However, to deliver reliable work, prioritize your tasks. Each day, determine which work steps should be completed first.
2 - Create a daily schedule
The good old to-do List is essential for time management as a freelancer. Important: It’s better to compile your list the night before. With this important planning step, you relieve your brain so that it can relax better after work.
Write down everything that needs to be done on your daily schedule. Even short phone calls or small tasks should not be forgotten. The more structured your daily schedule is, the less danger there is of distractions. Digital tools are just as useful for creating a daily schedule as a simple piece of paper on which you write down the plan.
3 - Set time limits for your tasks
Of course, you don't always know to the exactly how long it will take you to complete a particular task. However, try to be realistic about how much time is needed for a task. Time limits encourage you to follow through with your tasks.
4 - Schedule breaks
Breaks are very important. It's not productive to work for eight hours straight. You will quickly notice how your concentration and motivation diminish. Therefore, schedule targeted breaks after each completed task. During these breaks, it's best not to remain seated in front of the computer, but to get up briefly, move around, stretch, and get some fresh air. This way you can get back to work fully concentrated after the break.
5 - Work with a calendar
Especially freelancers with a smaller client base are often convinced that they don't need a calendar. However, the calendar's function is not only to remind you of appointments. If you use a digital calendar, appointments can be conveniently shared, you can use reminder functions and much more. This will save you more valuable time and at the same time relieve your brain, which can better focus on your work.
6 - Document the time you spend on your work
Many freelancers refrain from saving their actual workload. However, by doing so, they forgo an important tool for evaluating their own efficiency and profitability.
7 - Pay attention to your biorhythm
It has been scientifically proven that everyone has their own biorhythms. Some people are most productive in the early morning hours, while others are most productive at midday. Therefore, plan your tasks to match your productivity curve. Make use of the great advantage you have as a freelancer: You can freely arrange your time.
8 - Set up a workspace
Always ensure a concentrated atmosphere when working. Therefore, it’s better to set up a permanent workplace in your home office or in a co-working space. This will prevent you from working quickly at the kitchen table or on the couch. Since concentration will be lower there, it will take you significantly longer to complete the same task.
9 - Eliminate distracting factors
It's a good idea to put your phone on silent and turn off your mail program during a task. This way you will not be disturbed while working on these channels. By the way, a messy desk is also a disruptive factor!
10 - Learn to say "no" and to hand over work
Many freelancers are inclined to accept any job. But in the long run, no one is helped if you can no longer meet your deadlines. Therefore, before accepting any assignment, check carefully whether your time capacities are sufficient. This is very easy if you work with calendars.
11 - Acquire time management methods
Whether Pomodoro technique or ABC method, there are many different tools to manage your time more efficiently. Since each person works individually and has its own presences, we cannot recommend a single method at this point. However, it makes sense to try one or the other method from time to time.
Time management is essential for continuous performance without compromising health
With these 11 simple time management tips, freelancers can make their work more time efficient. This not only optimizes the ratio of work to income, but also creates the conditions for using your physical resources wisely and thus the basis for a healthier, stress-free work.