How to Streamline the Workload When Working for Yourself

Many sole traders are forced to accept that working for oneself can mean a considerably larger workload and that, at least for the first few years, any semblance of a typical eight-hour day is likely to go out of the window. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are a number of techniques you can use that will help you to maintain a healthy work/life balance, even when you are your own boss. This article explores just a few of them.

Plan Carefully

Every professional should learn how to plan. However, many people are not as effective in this area as they could be. It’s important to get into the habit of using a highly organized diary in which each day is divided into blocks of time. You can then carefully prioritize your tasks by importance and deadline proximity, then carefully distribute them throughout that diary, being sure to give yourself enough time for each. Make sure that you work on your planning and scheduling for a suitable period every week. It may feel like a waste of time initially, but the hours and stress it will save in the long run will more than make up for it. If you use an electronic diary, be sure to make full use of available options for notifications and reminders.

Automate Menial Tasks

Try to find tools that will allow you to undertake multiple activities at once, or to complete certain tasks automatically. For example, if you’re making or transcribing notes from meetings, interviews or other interactions, wouldn’t it be easier if the words were automatically recorded on your computer screen instead of having to go via a separate voice recorder or manual notebook first? Why not use a handy transcription tool that will help you to automate your workflow in this area and easily export your work, saving you the mind-numbing task of typing out what you’ve already recorded or handwritten?

Use a Workflow Tool

If your work involves a number of different streams, and especially if you’re working with numerous different clients or employing others, the use of workflow applications or software can be a lifesaver. There are many different types available that can be tailored to meet the specific demands of your job and to make sure that everything runs like clockwork. Seeing all of your projects on one screen, with their next steps clearly laid out and their current status plainly labeled, may make all the difference to your effectiveness as a worker. Some of these platforms can even be integrated with the relevant files, email accounts and even social media streams.

Learn to Push Back

As you gain more experience in your field, you’ll learn ways in which to gently say “no” – or at least “not now” without losing a contract. If you’re becoming overrun with work, perhaps it’s time to think about asking for deadline extensions or turning down new projects. It’s up to you to determine how much is enough, which work is suitable to be placed on the back burner for now and what you’ll be risking if you do push back. This will be easier if you’ve developed a good relationship with your clients over a significant length of time.