Are you a freelancer and you are planning to stop procrastination? Then, you need to read this.
Every freelancer can testify to the strenuous work attributed to freelancing. It is undoubtedly a job for strong bones, determined minds, and a focused eye set above laziness and procrastination.
Unfortunately, as a freelancer, you’re 95% prone to working with the internet and from home. All of these are a thousand and one reasons for distractions and procrastination.
However, if you discipline yourself to stop procrastination by following the tips below, you should be giving your client no more reason to doubt you.
Without further ado, let’s check out some tips on how to stop procrastination as a freelancer.
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Table of Contents
Stay off the Distraction-Zone
As you have read in the introductory section, there are a lot of distractions that come with being a freelancer: from being at home and leaning into every issue and noise of the neighborhood to being stuck to the internet and every recent trend on it. These alone are enough to distract you and postpone any work you have.
Hence, to stop procrastination, you must stay focused and avoid distraction. So switch off your phone for a minute! A few moments of distancing won’t hurt. It would help you stay focused.
Avoid opening any of the ‘distraction’ sites or apps: Instagram, Facebook, and all social media websites to keep you less distracted. Instead, do these constantly, and you are close to being the freelancer you want.
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Normalize Going to Workspaces
Most of the time, the best way to stop procrastination and get things done is to take your PC and search for workspaces-a place where everyone is busy and serious-minded. There are several workspaces for you to choose from; all you need to do is pick the one suitable for you. You can have two to three workspaces you prefer and interchange them.
Workspaces Suitable for Freelancing
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Coffee Shops
Coffee shops or tea shops are great places for freelancing. You can enjoy your flavored tea while digging into your task for the day. Also, the coffee shop is preferable to many freelancers because of the comfortable and open spaces. In addition, you would be motivated to stay focused and work because of the other freelancers there.
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Work at your Friend’s Place
Working at your friend’s apartment can be of great help, too, especially if your friend is also a freelancer. Both of you can motivate each other to focus and divert distractions.
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Rent an Office Space
Maybe you don’t like the side talks, and little noise from the coffee shops or are not too comfortable working at your friend’s place, so renting an office is an alternative. You can rent an office for a little amount for just a few hours and get started with your work. This is also the best option to stop procrastination since you would have to spend your money to rent an office. You should focus on achieving something before leaving.
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Work at local libraries
This is a great option for those who can’t concentrate with a single noise. The library is a quiet and comfortable place for freelancing. While others are reading, you are with your desktop or laptop working.  Â
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Prioritize your Task
Another tip to stop procrastination is to start each day by achieving tasks in order of priority. Some would say “start with the hardest task,” which can also be referred to as prioritizing. You can start with the task that might be difficult to finish- it should be your priority to complete the hardest task and follow up with the easiest afterward.
Most times, you procrastinate because you are too lazy to do the difficult task, so getting done with it gives you a joy of achievement and the strength to finish the easy tasks.
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Say a Daily AffirmationÂ
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Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t believe in affirmations. Some believe they are just for motivational speakers, but it’s false. By uttering daily affirmations, you stay motivated, strengthen your mind and body for the task ahead of you and believe in yourself.
So every day, affirm some words of motivation to yourself. Say words like “I’m strong and hardworking, I will finish up with this, I’m good at what I do, I will achieve this goal today, etc.” It would help fasten your seatbelts and esprit your inner self to stop procrastination and begin daily tasks well. Try it out and give it your ratings.
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Give an Account at the end of each day
Giving account at the end of each day is common among blue-collar and sometimes white-collar jobs. For example, everyone is assigned a job at the start of the day, and at the end of the day or of the month, you would give an account of how much work you have done.
As a freelancer, you can do these by yourself. Set a goal to achieve at the end of the day. Suppose you cannot achieve what you hope to, then do better the next day. And if you get done with the tasks for the day, do not forget to reward yourself!
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Set a Proper Time ManagementÂ
The final tip on how to stop procrastination and get things done is to manage your time wisely. Create a working duration, as well as a time for siesta. Part of the reason you can’t stop procrastination as a freelancer is probably because you can’t manage your time. If you have loads of work, learn to manage your time and reduce the time you spend on break or on social media.
Final thoughts
All of the tips listed above to stop procrastination would work efficiently if you gradually and consistently keep up with it. You won’t just get used to all of it overnight, no. It’s not going to happen.
Remember, you may delay, but time won’t. So stay awake, pull the wheel, start with the tips above, and you are close to tackling procrastination.
A great tip for becoming a successful freelancer is in a platform where you get to meet and interact with other freelancers like yourself. Insight.ng Writers Community is one of such informative platforms. So why not become a part of us today by clicking here.
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