For those who have worked and grown weary of the average job, self-employment certainly feels like a huge step forward in their careers. Picture this: You are your own boss; you work on a flexible daily schedule; most of all, you are in control of your own time. While it surely sounds like the next great move, transitioning from a regular employment to working on your own terms may not be as easy as one would tend to think.
In this unsurprisingly overcrowded market, being your own boss requires arduous self-discipline to stay on top of your game and succeeding as a solopreneur.
Taking breaks
Working as a solopreneur requires lots of back-breaking efforts as there are no cutting corners for a job that tactically, creatively, and laterally tests not only the hands but brains as well throughout the day, all on your own. As there is only so much one could consume and digest, it can be regurgitating at times which calls for a break for the mind and body to regenerate. Breaking down your workday to smaller sessions greatly helps as you can work on each task at a time. One way to do so, for instance, is using the Pomodoro technique.
Stop multitasking
Multitasking is bad, period. Not only does it impede your productivity, it also causes severe distractions and impairs your mental processes, all of which could result in counterproductive and sloppy work. Instead, focus on one project at hand before shifting to another at specific moments. Give yourself an estimated time for each task and you won’t find yourself working on multiple tasks simultaneously.
Get organised
With tasks and scheduling now befall on your shoulders, it could be difficult to stay organised and productive simultaneously. To start, you need to first be physically organised, as in keeping a workspace that is tidy and free from clutter to keep yourself motivated and averting any chance of stress. Next, it is wise to set up plans and important targets with to-do list applications as they can help you attain success within a set time frame. This helps to keep you going for hitting targets that you set, and it prevents you from falling idle.
Get rid of distractions
One of the perks that comes with self-employment is that you can work in your own time and place, which such liberty could give rise to numerous causes of distractions, especially these days as we find ourselves working at home with so much within arms’ reach.
First, keep yourself focused by setting up a daily routine. This structure will get you moving and energised in the morning which is crucial to your productivity. Take one to two hours of self-care in the morning before you hit the ground running simply by exercising, meditating or listening to your favourite podcasts, among others.
Once that is done, you can now focus solely on work preferably in a workspace free from distractions such as TV and chores. You will need a conducive environment to concentrate and any chance of distractions will lead to productivity diminishing. Keeping boundaries is crucial here.
Setting goals
Setting up goals are crucial to not only your business’s long-term success, but yourself too. There are specific goals that motivate you to keep moving in the right direction as you strive to turn short and long-term visions into reality. As you are working on your own terms, you can easily be diverted with so many aspects to look at. With that in mind, it is best to use the SMART approach which helps to set your goals in a manner that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Taking into account the 5Ws and 1H with this approach will help break down goals into directional and achievable ones which get you to stay on track and organised.
Remember to disconnect
With so many things being done through our smartphones and computers, it can be easily overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information we process day in and day out. Furthermore, staying online today means staying ahead in the know to stand out in what you are doing—which is more important when you are working for yourself. For this reason, disconnecting from the net at times will do you a world of good as you turn off not only your devices, but also your mind to avoid imbalance in life.
The 20-point daily system
Staying positive and active in these times is tough but by no means undoable. To maintain a strong mindset, making the most out of each day is a must. Using the 20-point daily system will help you to break down the litany of tasks ranging from the mundane to the urgent ones into a few components with each being assigned a score up to 5, individually. This could get you going in accomplishing your tasks until the point 20 is reached. Doing this everyday greatly enhances your productivity as you could balance your work and life without compromising one or another.
At KWO, we value a positive work culture and we make it our job to ensure that all employees are well taken care of. Enjoy a fulfilling career with a positive working environment and a flexible working hour as a financial planner at KWO. Join us today!