Being self-employed can be hugely exciting, scary and dull in equal measures, and in most cases these feelings manifest at the most inappropriate times. Keeping on top of this whirlwind of emotion is just part of ensuring a smooth workflow; you’ll also need to hit deadlines, chase invoices, answer email correspondence and most importantly, find work. With all this going on, you could find it has a detrimental effect on your productivity...

5 Tips to Improve Workflow for Freelancers

1. Stay Tidy

This applies to anybody who works from home; you need to keep your work space clean and tidy. It’s very easy to let the paperwork pile up, but taking 20 minutes each day to ensure your files and folders are in place and to empty the rubbish bin can do wonders for your clarity of thought. I’m sure you are familiar with the expression "tidy desk, tidy mind".

Apply the same rule to your desktop and you will work quicker, with less distraction and with a greater concentration on the project at hand.

2. Keep Track of Finances

There is nothing more stressful than trying to organise an untidy, outdated spreadsheet or cash flow book, especially when the time comes to declare your earnings. Always number and date invoices, follow up on payments and ensure things are marked accordingly. Many accounting packages will aid you with this but if you take the manual approach you should clearly itemise outgoings and earnings.

Connect your invoices with your work load – you can easily see which project is most pressing when you compare what you need to do with when it has to be completed. You can also give preference to the largest jobs (in terms of pay or project size).

3. Take a Breather

Achieving a work-life balance is difficult so it’s important to step back from your computer from time to time and do something you enjoy, even if it’s just for 30 minutes.

I am lucky enough to live in the centre of a big city so there are plenty of things for me to do. In the summer I take a walk by the river for some fresh air, or I go to my local gym to let off some steam. Even if I don’t get the chance to leave the apartment I make sure I put some time aside to play guitar, juggle (yes, juggle) or watch television! Fitting recreational activities into your working day will improve your workflow.

4. Work the 9-5

Freelancing is often mistaken as easy work where you can get away with sleeping through half the morning and working until midnight. This is possible but it will be detrimental to your health and as Humans we require some form of routine. Even if you work 7am-7pm, working and sleeping the hours that everybody else does will keep you mentally and physically on track.

5. Avoid Distractions

Music, television, games, Facebook; they all serve as distractions that hinder workflow. I am not suggesting for one moment that you don’t listen to music, or you don’t use Facebook, just put time aside for these activities. Clearly defining the boundaries between work and leisure is especially difficult for those who work from home. I have developed a new appreciation for television because it remains turned off when I am busy, then when I switch it on, it’s in recognition of the fact that my work (or at least the day) is done.

Achieve "The Balance"

It’s true that you need to be self-motivated and disciplined to work from home, and training yourself to sit at the computer for 4 or 5 hours at a time with little “play time” can be hard, but there really is no gain without pain. Make your home office like your work environment, only without the nagging boss, and you’ll be a happy and productive worker.