A 2014 Pew Research study found that 1 in every 10 American workers were self-employed. 10% of the American workforce— or rather, 14 million people—now work for themselves.
Of the many daily challenges these 14 million people face, one common recurring 
problem for all of them is how to be most productive. Your workflow changes when you no longer have a boss, a schedule that’s made for you, or PTO. And productivity becomes both a necessity and a personal challenge. Each self-employed person has to make a system that best fits his or her own unique needs and goals.
While there’s no one structured system that works for everyone, there are small details that can help everyone’s individual systems work better. In my quest to master productivity while being self-employed, these 4 articles have proven to be the most helpful. Their tips can enhance anyone’s workflow, no matter how unique.
1.
While targeted toward employees who work remotely, this article’s app suggestions are equally useful to full-time remote freelancers or self-employed people who need a way to organize their work and stay in touch with clients or employees.
Favorite App Suggestion: Google Hangouts. It may sound basic, but this tool is perfect for self-employed people who need to meet with clients or employees. Google’s Hangouts Meet is even better, since it’s specifically for business meetings. I like it because of its screen-sharing capabilities.
2. Is Casual Dress Killing Your Productivity At Work?
Working in my pajamas at home sounded appealing at first, but I quickly discovered how detrimental it was to my productivity. This article validated my discovery. By getting dressed, doing your hair, and even accessorizing, you signal your brain that it’s time to work. This intriguing article is filled with quotes from professionals and tips for “tricking” your brain into being more productive during the work day and less focused on work in the evenings.
Favorite quote: “A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s ‘professional work attire’ or ‘relaxing weekend wear’, so when we put it on we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning.”
3. 3 Popular Productivity Tips That Are Actually Wasting Your Time
This one’s for all of you who hate putting time and effort into something that doesn’t ever work. So, basically everyone. You may want to stay away from these often-recited tips—unless, of course, they actually work for you. Or maybe, you just need to find a happy balance between these different ideas. What matters is that you find a system that works for you.
Favorite tip: “Write a list of what you actually accomplished at the end of each day. That way you feel motivated by everything you got done and keep tabs on your actual productivity.”
4. How to Make the Most of Your Workday
This article may very well be the king of all productivity articles. Its 7 comprehensive sections cover everything from multi-tasking to computer use and productivity myths. You’ll find quotes from professionals, links to other similar articles, and loads of practical advice.
Favorite tip: “Working continuously and for long hours does not mean you’re getting more done. Sometimes the best way to get something done is not to work on it for a while.”
Thanks for reading! By the way – if you liked this article, you may also like 4 Productivity Hacks for Working from Home.
Proof Is In the Writing 