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Starting a business on your own can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to productivity. As a solo business owner, time management is crucial. It can be difficult to stay motivated and productive when you’re working by yourself. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely and the days can be really long. It can be hard to find the right work-life balance as a solopreneur. We get it, we’ve all been there ourselves. Here are 10 productivity strategies to help solo entrepreneurs boost their productivity and achieve their goals:
- Set clear goals
Having clear, specific goals can help you focus your efforts and stay on track. Make a list of what you want to do and break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. We know this sounds like the most cliched, overused tip but there’s a reason for that. It actually helps. Here at Otter we like to be very clear about our goals or objectives. We then outline the tactics or tasks we need to meet these goals. It’s simple but it works! Being laser focused on your goals and how to achieve them helps to boost productivity.
- Create a schedule
Having a set schedule can help you stay organized and focused. Set aside specific times for tasks and stick to them. Use your calendar, a timer, or any other tool that helps you set and stick with your schedule. Notion is a great tool to help you organize yourself. It helps you set a schedule with the specific tasks you need to do. Notion has many features beyond scheduling to help you organize your business and your personal life.
- Use productivity tools
There are many productivity tools available to help solo business owners stay organized and on top of their tasks. Consider using a task management app or a time-tracking tool to help you stay focused. Besides Notion, Todoist is another one of our personal favourites for task management. It’s easy to use and it makes the most satisfying sound when you get to mark a task as complete. Another great tool we like to use for productivity is Rescue Time. It keeps track of how you’re spending your time online, and lets you know when you’re in a focus zone or if you’re too distracted. We recommend trying a few different tools to see which work best for you. Finding the tool that works best for you is like finding a productivity hack as a solopreneur.
- Take breaks
It's important to take breaks and give yourself time to recharge. Set aside time to rest and relax, and try to get some exercise to help boost your energy levels.
- Minimize distractions
Eliminating distractions can help you focus on your work and get more done. Turn off notifications on your phone or computer, or use noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions. You can even go so far as leaving your phone out of eyesight to cut distractions. So put your phone aside, set your computer to DND (do not disturb) and get to work!
- Delegate tasks
As a solo business owner, it can be tempting to try to do everything yourself. It might even seem easier to just do everything yourself. But here’s the thing, it's important to recognize when it's time to delegate tasks to others. If it saves you time or money to delegate, you should probably do it. This can help free up your time and allow you to focus on the most important tasks.
- Avoid multitasking
While it might seem like a good idea to multitask, it can actually be counterproductive. If we’re really honest with ourselves we know that it’s next to impossible to focus on more than one thing at a time. And when we're focused on too many things it's hard to do a good job at it. Come on, it’s time to admit it. Try focusing on one task at a time to avoid spreading yourself too thin and watch your productivity soar.
- Set boundaries
It's important to set boundaries with clients and colleagues to make sure you have time for your own work. Learn to say no to unreasonable requests, communicate your availability and be clear. This can be such a liberating feeling, in addition to helping you be more productive.
- Make time for self-care
I know, I know, you’re probably rolling your eyes right now. Obviously we all know we need to give ourselves time to recharge. We all know that self-care is important, but it’s all too easy to put it aside and tell yourself you don’t have time for it. But here’s the thing, if you don’t set aside time for self-care it’ll hurt your productivity so it’s actually really important. Set aside time for yourself to do whatever you need to recharge, whether it’s a bath, a hot girl walk, meditating or exercising. Just do what you need to do to rest and relax so you can stay productive.
- Keep learning
Staying up-to-date with industry news and learning new skills can help you stay motivated and productive. Not to mention, it also helps you do your work better. Set aside time for learning and development. Consider enrolling in a course or workshop to learn new things and help you grow your business. It’ll help you from becoming stale like that baguette you forgot you bought, and help you make more money. Sounds like a win-win.
By following these tips, solo business owners can boost their productivity and achieve their goals. Remember to focus on your priorities, set clear goals, and make time for self-care to help you stay on track. Staying productive will save you time and help you grow your business. As we like to say around here, that’s otterly fantastic!
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