Related read: 7 Tools To Help You Stay Organized As A Blogger
So I’ve learned that when I do have a little bit of time to work on blogging tasks I need to make the most of that time. I need to maximize my productivity.
If you’ve been in the same boat, you know that can be hard. Because after a full day at work you’re tired and the last thing you want it to go to work again. It can be tempting to curl up on the couch or in bed and watch some Netflix. Or you may be distracted from other things that need to be taken care of. such as dirty laundry, cooking dinner or even dirty dishes.
Over time I’ve figured out a few ways I can better ignore those distractions and be productive for an hour or so each day and get work done on my blog.
Here are eight things I do to stay productive when I’m working on my blog.
1. Have a dedicated workspace
I used to do most of my blog-related work from my bed or my couch. While that was comfortable I found it to be very unproductive. I would start getting too comfortable and start browsing my social profiles or even taking a nap.Since I moved into my house I now have specific areas I’ve designated as workspaces - my kitchen island, dining room table, and also my office. I find when I’m sitting at the desk in my office I get more done in an hour than I do in two while sitting on my bed.
2. Eliminate distractions
As noted above I sometimes get distracted by social media when doing blog work. So I try to keep my mobile devices in another room or another part of the room. Plus I don’t have any of my social profiles open in my browser unless I’m posting on them or engaging with other bloggers.
Related read: 30 Free Resources For Blogging On A Budget
3. Have a change of scenery
I’ve found that sometimes I get bored working in the same space for too long. When that happens I just pick up my laptop and move to another one of my designated workspaces.
I’ve also found that getting out of the house can be helpful. Whether it’s going to a park, a coffee shop, or just sitting on my back patio.
4. List your priorities
While I’m good at doing this at my full-time job I stink at doing this for my blog. At the beginning of the month, I’ll list out my priorities for the month and as you know priorities can change over time. But my list doesn’t. This is probably one of the main reasons I tend to be more productive in the first week or so of the month.
Making a list of your priorities puts everything in perspective and lets you figure out what each task should be to meet those priorities and when each task should be completed.
Related read: How I Plan My Blog And Social Content
5. Start with the hardest task
I’ve found this works for me in my full-time job so why wouldn’t it work for my side hustle? It makes sense when you really think about it. It’s easier to get work done when you’re at your freshest.
For me, my hardest tasks tend to be writing blog posts and scheduling Instagram posts. So if I’m going to work on them during my blog work time, I start with one of those two tasks first.
6. Time task or set a schedule
I’ve found this to be most helpful for my productivity when I have a lot of tasks to complete in a certain amount of time.
7. Take breaks
If I’m only putting in an hour or two of work, I don’t find breaks to be helpful. But if I’m putting in more than a couple of hours taking a break every 40-60 minutes helps to keep me fresh and on task.
Related read: How To Come Up With Blog Post Ideas When You Have None
8. Take notes
Sometimes when I’m writing posts or working on my content calendar creativity strikes. And if I don’t write it down I lose that creative thought. When that happens I may end up wasting several minutes trying to remember what that idea or thought was when I could have stopped for a couple of seconds to just write it down.
Shop content creator tools
These are some great tips! I do some of them well, but need to work on others! Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteTaking regular breaks has been such a game-changer for me! I used to work hours on end, but when I did this I would become easily distracted, and my creative juices were deleted. This year I started using the block scheduling method which included scheduling in breaks for exercise and eating. These little breaks totally refuel me, and I get so much more done!
ReplyDeleteThe one rule I don't follow is working in a dedicated office space. My office is dark, and my desk faces away from the window -- I don't find it very energizing. So, I work from the kitchen counter where there's a ton of natural light, lots of windows, and it's close to the coffee maker!