You’re a freelance web designer? Here are 3 ways to boost your productivity
It's natural to struggle with the effects of procrastination on occasion. Web designers aren't immune from this. This is the especially the case with freelancers. They do not always work with highly structured workflows or strict schedules.
Disclaimer: This branded content is from BeTheme WordPress & WooCommerce Theme, originally published on 23/01/2018.
It’s natural to struggle with the effects of procrastination on occasion. Web designers aren’t immune from this. This is the especially the case with freelancers. They do not always work with highly structured workflows or strict schedules.
Does this sound like you? Maybe you’ve been looking for ways to minimize or avoid those time-wasting episodes? Take heart! You don’t have to undergo a major lifestyle change to find a solution to the problem.
It’s easy to keep procrastinating from gaining the upper hand. We’ve put together three productivity techniques to show you how it’s done. You can start today – and start reaping the benefits today, as well!
Productivity Technique #1: Use Be Theme’s pre-built websites to finish your client’s work in 4 hours
What usually causes the procrastination? It might be the uncertainty as to how to get started on a design project because of the client’s requirements. Also, it might be your unfamiliarity of the niche involved.
That simply won’t happen with Be Theme in your design toolkit. This multipurpose WordPress theme has more than 300+ pre-designed websites. All of them are representing the largest assortment of pre-built websites on the market.
Finding just the right pre-built website to match a client’s needs takes minutes at most. When you’ve found what you need, it takes but a single-click to install.
The result? Time saved, and productivity improved, without hardly trying. And, being able to get a website up and running in as little as 4 hours is another time saver. Not to mention being a sure-fire way of making a client happy!
Here’s a sampling of what Be’s users find helpful:
Here are 10 Be Theme pre-built designs you can use to create a full website in a matter of hours
Productivity Technique #2: Be more flexible instead of forcing yourself into a strict schedule
There are times when trying to adhere to a strict schedule can be more of a hindrance than a help. You end up beating your head against the wall.
At the same time, loosening up and being more flexible would seem to be counterproductive. It isn’t.
Freelancers often get much more done when they add a dash or two of flexibility to their workflow, such as:
- When you feel stuck, take a break. Go for a walk. Better yet, go for one with your dog (or consider getting one, if you don’t have one). Take a coffee break with a friend. Your brain, meanwhile, will continue to work your problem.
- Make a to-do list, but make it a general one. A list of very specific tasks can easily become overwhelming. If you get hung up on one task, your entire schedule can take a hit. Give yourself a little slack; so, if you can’t finish a task one day, it’s OK to finish it the next.
Productivity Technique #3: Calculate how much productivity costs you every day
This technique is based on a very simple idea. It is easier to calculate the cost of wasted time, than an increase in productivity due to time saved.
Calculating how much procrastination is costing you every day is a powerful motivator.
You might be charging by the hour or by the assignment as a freelancer. Either way, you should be able to calculate your average hourly fee. At the end of each day, estimate how many hours you’ve wasted. Multiply the number by your hourly fee, and write the answer down on a sticky note.
Keep it in front of you. Do the same every day. Before long, you’ll be working hard to keep the number to a minimum, to keep those $$ from flying out the door.
When the money you’re saving each day reaches a certain point; reward yourself!
Conclusion
These are 3 techniques to increase your productivity as a freelance web designer:
The best part about these techniques is that you have a powerful, easy-to-work-with tool to assist you. Also, you don’t have to force yourself into a tight schedule, and you don’t have to turn your lifestyle upside down.
Take your dog for a walk, and think it over!!