How to Manage Your Time When You Are Self-Employed

Switching from a 9-5 to being full-time self-employed is quite the shift that many business owners face at some point. While it might sound like a dream come true to be your own boss, managing your time effectively without the structure of a traditional job can be challenging. When I first started, I felt like I had all the free time in the world because I didn’t have a schedule set by someone else. Spoiler alert: that feeling didn’t last long! Here’s exactly what I did to become more stable with my time management, how I learned it, and the tools that can help you succeed in your self-employed journey.

What to NOT Do When You Are Self-Employed

Now, I mentioned that when I first started out, I was really struggling to find a set time to work. Just because you aren’t clocking in and out of a job doesn’t mean you don’t need designated hours. I enjoyed spending my days going shopping, waking up whenever I wanted, and putting off all my work until the last minute. That might sound fun, but it can quickly spiral into a stressful situation. When you don’t set boundaries with your time, work can start to pile up, and suddenly, you’re scrambling to meet deadlines. Trust me, it’s a situation you want to avoid.

Dividing Up Tasks

To bring some much-needed structure to my work life, the first thing I did was start writing all my tasks down. For this, I use a physical notebook to list out everything I need to accomplish for the week. Once I have it all laid out, I move to my Google Calendar, where I divide up the tasks and assign them specific time slots. This system allows me to track my progress, set deadlines, and even shuffle tasks around if something unexpected comes up. There’s something incredibly satisfying about checking off tasks as you complete them, and it helps keep me focused on what needs to be done.

Organization and Time Management Go Hand in Hand

Staying organized is another crucial component of effective time management. To keep everything running smoothly, I start my weeks by mapping out tasks for each client on their own Notion page. Notion is my go-to for keeping everything organized. I have separate calendars for each client, where I track important dates, deadlines, and when specific posts need to go live. This coordination between my Google Calendar and Notion helps me ensure that nothing falls through the cracks and that I’m always on top of my work.

Forcing Yourself to Have a Schedule

This is probably the most important key to enhancing your time management. I have created designated hours that I WILL be working during and have a schedule that I follow on each weekday. For example, I start my mornings at the gym, and once I finish working out, I dive straight into work, whether at home or at a café, until at least 3:00 PM. Some days I work beyond this time slot, but having a set schedule guarantees that I won’t work under the number of hours needed to complete my tasks. Forcing myself to stick to a schedule was one of the hardest adjustments when switching to self-employment. I had to create my own office hours and mentally “clock in” each day. Without this structure, I found it far too easy to let work slide, but with it, I’m able to maintain a productive routine.

Additional Tips for Productivity

After working for myself for quite some time, I’ve picked up a few additional tips that help boost productivity:

Time Blocking: I can’t stress enough how important time blocking is. Set specific blocks of time for certain tasks, and avoid multitasking during these periods. Google Calendar is a fantastic tool for this.
Use Productivity Tools: Apps like Notion, Google Calendar, HoneyBook, and Google Drive are lifesavers for staying organized and managing your workload efficiently.
Breaks Are Essential: Don’t forget to take breaks. Your brain needs downtime to recharge, and you’ll be more productive if you step away from your desk every now and then.
Set Realistic Goals: Don’t overburden yourself with an impossible to-do list. Set achievable goals each day and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.
Reflect and Adjust: At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Adjust your schedule and approach as needed to improve your time management.

Switching to self-employment is a journey that requires discipline and adaptability. By implementing these strategies and finding what works best for you, you can master time management and enjoy the freedom and success that come with being your own boss.