top 10 strategies to improve productivity and the bottom line

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Top 10 Productivity Tips for Independent Professionals

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Productivity is Key

• As a self-employed professional, your livelihood depends on your ability to consistently remain productive.

• All too often, seemingly productive work-sessions turn into a blogging session, FB status updates or YouTube video marathons.

• These distractions will cut into your bottom line by decreasing your output exponentially.

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1. Minimize Social Networking

• Avoid checking your accounts several times per hour. • Social media marketing can be valuable to your business, but

checking your Twitter, Facebook or other social networking messages too often can often waste hours throughout the day.

• Limit the number of times you allow yourself to check your messages each day.

• Check for new messages in the morning after you have done some work, during lunch, and in the evening before bedtime.

• That way, social networking keeps its proper place instead of stealing opportunities.

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2. Clean and De-Clutter Your Space

• A cluttered space can cause a mental block that can last several hours.

• Ensure that your work surface is clutter free and that any unnecessary paperwork is tucked away.

• Make use of file cabinets, storage boxes, and bookcases.• Before you leave your office each evening, take a few

minutes to clear any clutter. • Just five minutes of maintenance every day can make a

huge difference in the peace you feel as you begin each new workday.

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3. Define "visiting hours"

• If you work at home, you are familiar with the frustration of family members popping into your office to chat.

• Make it clear that when you are involved in work projects, trivial interruptions must wait until your scheduled break time.

• If necessary, hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your office door to keep interruptions at bay.

• If you work from home, but your workspace is set up in a highly trafficked area, try noise-blocking headphones to eliminate the sounds around you.

• If you cannot find a secluded workspace, try separating your workspace with a curtain or a bookshelf to maximize your privacy.

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4. Remove Distractions

• When you are working on your proposal or project, it is all too easy to let your mind wander.

• There is software available which can block websites that are known to cause lulls in your productivity.

• Ignore calls that are not related to your business while in the office. As long as you're prompt in returning a call, it is perfectly acceptable to send a client's call to voicemail.

• In fact, you can save time by offering email as your main point of contact.

• Often, a 45-minute conversation can be reduced to one or two very short emails back and forth

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5. Attend to Physical Health

• To keep your mind strong and maintain an appropriate workflow, make wise choices and take care of your body.

• You will have more energy to tackle your to-do list and more will get done.

• Stay away from heavy foods. • Exercise on a regular basis and make sure you receive a

good amount of sleep each night.• For best results, exercise in the early morning before

starting work. It will give you an energy boost that is better than coffee, and improve your mood with no crash later.

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6. Sprints, not a Marathon

• Most independent professionals find it best to work in sets of 15 to 45 minutes.

• Work through this time without any bathroom breaks, phone calls, or time wasting Web surfing.

• After completing your sprint, take a short five to ten minute break and begin working on your second sprint of uninterrupted work time.

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7. Play

• Once you get started on a project, it can be easy to lose track of time and forget about breaks.

• Short, regular breaks are essential to the effectiveness of your work and your overall health.

• Take a five minute break every hour or so in order to reap the highest rewards.

• Step away from the computer on a regular basis to prevent repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel, backaches, and eyestrain.

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8. Tweak Your Schedule

• You are no longer part of the traditional “rat race.” • So, if you are not reaching your productivity peak

during the 9-to-5 schedules, change it up a bit. • Many freelancers find that they are most productive

in the early morning hours of 5 am to 12 pm. • If you are more of a night owl, turn those sleepless

nights into money making hours by cranking out some work.

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9. Make Yourself Comfortable

• If you have to hunch your back to reach your short desk, back pain and discomfort will hinder your effectiveness.

• Furnish your office with a desk and chair that are the right height for you.

• Stay away from bright wall colors that will distract you from your work. Cooler tones are ideal wall colors for an office area. They promote effective thinking and soothe your eyes.

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10. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

• Motivate yourself to increase your productivity by imagining how great you will feel once the project is completed.

• Imagine the financial rewards. • Feel the pride you experience when your work is

praised. • Imagine how your family will benefit. • Try creating a wish list on your favorite shopping

website, and buy an item on the list each time you complete a big project or achieve a challenging goal.

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• As an independent professional, you need to function at maximum capacity.

• You have control of your time, and these ideas will help you to make the most of it.

• Choose one or more of these strategies today and begin to experience the personal, business, and financial success you deserve.

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• To your continued success!!• For more tips and more information

in improving your productivity, as well as your bottom line, visit

www.MartinaMcGowan.com

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http://www.martinamcgowan.com/

top 10 strategies to improve productivity and the bottom line

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