8 Ways On How to Make Your Work Hours Really Count

Businesspeople in general lead busy lives. This is especially true for people who work alone -- Yes, I'm talking about solopreneurs. It is not easy to shoulder all the workload, and you're going to be lost in the scramble of a hectic day. From planning to the work process itself, things can get pretty crazy fast. Today, I'm going to share ways to boost your productivity and make each moment of your business count.

Seek to always be early.

Yes, you have to get up earlier than your usual hour to maximize your work hours. The same applies when you have to go to bed early. You need plenty of sleep so that you can wake up energized and ready to conquer the day faster and with less stress. Spend too much time in the shower? Take shorter baths.

Do what you love now.

Don’t wait for the perfect time to do something you love. Start today -- at this very moment. If you wait for the perfect opportunity, there is a chance it will come late or not come at all. Either way, you will lose precious time, and you should avoid that. And if you don’t really love what you do, you can still learn to appreciate it. Smile! It elevates your mood and gives you new insights. It takes the boredom out of work.

Build a working wall.

Working focused is difficult for most people because of all the distractions. First of all, identify your day to day distractions such as television or social media notifications. Anything that is not helping should be eliminated. People can distract you too. The best way to focus is to know when your peak times are. During these peak working hours, say no to all distractions. Do whatever it takes.

Make your environment conducive for work.

Arrange your office in a way that when you need something, it is easily accessible and reduces your time for searching. If you want to listen to music, choose tunes that relax your mind and soul. Some tracks are designed to help your mind focus. My personal favorites are Brazilian Jazz and Cafe LoFi hip-hop. What’s yours?

Read: A Solopreneur’s Guide to Creating a Home Office (And Staying Productive)

Use mornings for more immediate tasks.

Tasks that are urgent should be done in the morning because this is the perfect time when your mind is fresh and more organized. Don’t jumble different tasks or multitask. If you do, you will only be confused. In the same vein, identify similarities between tasks and do them in batches.

Know when to take a productive break.

Not taking a break from work is bad for you. Long hours of work will cause stress and fatigue to your mind and body. Taking a productive break means to let your mind relax for a bit so you can work more after the break. If you start to feel overwhelmed, please stop and allow yourself to feel better for 20 minutes.

Speed up yourself and your tech.

Slow and laggy devices consume more time than you think they do. Your work tools play an important role in helping you work optimally. For example, you can use a mechanical keyboard to improve your typing speed. Get a faster internet connection. Make use of online tools that automate your workflows.

Prepare for the next day.

I find a notebook and pen handy tools to note things down. Re-list some tasks that you failed to accomplish and schedule them for the next day. Write your major tasks on your calendar. Decide how long you will work on each task. If you have bills to bay then make it automatic or a direct deposit transfer. Optimize and reflect on your performance for the day. Identify aspects that you can improve on to bring better results tomorrow.

A productive solopreneur knows how to spend time wisely. Make your work hours count!