6 Things That Might Be Distracting You as a Freelancer

Freelance writing is freeing because you can work from anywhere and set your own schedule. However, great opportunity also brings great responsibility. Your favorite Netflix series may tempt you to tune in, your phone just pinged and those household tasks aren’t going to do themselves. You must overcome these distractions and productivity roadblocks to achieve the satisfaction of a job well done by the end of the day.

Here are six things that might be ruining your focus on doing creative work and workarounds to address them.

1. Cluttered Workspace

A disorganized working area can cause stress and be overwhelming. Those scattered pens, notebooks and stacks of papers on your desk can divert your attention from work and lead to procrastination, derailing your productivity.

Experts cite that human brains inherently like order, and reflecting this nature on the outside world can improve productivity. An organized desk will allow you to focus better, process information and accomplish tasks, as opposed to visual disorganization.

One way to improve order is to use shelves and bins to store your things. Wall-mounted office shelves can be an aesthetic solution to clutter and keep your desk area mess-free.

Another productivity disruptor is the barrage of notifications from phone and social media apps. Imagine this — you're in the flow and on track to finishing your first draft, but you get startled by the loud ding notification from your phone. You feel like a balloon popped with a needle as your focus evaporates into thin air and you miss your deadline. Every writer has probably experienced this scenario at least once. It's challenging to return to the flow state once distracted.

Reducing notifications that cause interruptions can ease stress and strengthen your performance. It’s recommended for people susceptible to FoMO, or the fear of missing out, and who feel pressured to respond to work-related emails and messages. A good tip to avoid interruptions is to schedule checking emails and messages. When at work, turn off your phone or put it on do-not-disturb mode.

3. Multitasking

Doing multiple things at a time sounds productive but can lead to inefficiency. Companies may demand it to cut costs and increase employees' efficiency. However, it does the opposite by scattering your focus. Some may see upsides, but the drawbacks outweigh them. One reason is that the rapid switch between tasks stresses the brain, increases errors and is distracting. Your mind is like a computer's control center. Keeping multiple tabs open will make it lag.

Prioritizing — not multitasking — is the best hack for getting more things done. Focus on one task at a time and use productivity measures, like the Pomodoro technique. You do deep work for 25 minutes and take a five-minute interval afterward, repeating the cycle three to four times before taking a longer break of 30-60 minutes. Do this for every task to achieve greater efficiency.

4. Poor Interior Design

One study found that interior design affects human behaviors, including productivity, creativity and mood. Furthermore, lighting and colors are associated with wellness — unthoughtful designs can induce stress and mental overwhelm, decreasing your motivation for work.

Ensure your walls are a light color since the opposite affects productivity. Don’t use the same shade for the ceiling, though. Go two to three shades or 20% lighter to brighten the room. Add depth or texture with various paint finishes, such as glossy or matte.

5. Lack of Routine

An inconsistent schedule is a productivity killer because you drain more cognitive resources by deciding what to do next. The most successful people, like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, wear the same color shirts to avoid mental overload, establish routines and simplify their lifestyles.

A daily ritual supports cognitive function, allowing you to maximize your limited mental power. You can save precious brainpower by focusing on recurring tasks rather than unpredictable ones. You’re more likely to have a fruitful day if you have definitive wakeup, start and stop times. Add your daily activities to a schedule and stick with it.

6. Isolation

Unlike your typical office job, where you hang out with colleagues during lunch or have after-work happy hours, freelancing strips you of social interactions. You’ll work alone most of the time, making it easy to feel disconnected.

Socialization is essential for motivation and creativity. You can combat isolation by joining writer communities or networking forums. Whether online or offline, there's something to benefit from scheduled virtual chats with fellow creators.

Overcome Distractions to Get Productive

Distractions vary for each person, so identify and address the factors that interfere with your workflow. If your workspace is cluttered, keep it clean. Turn off your mobile phone if every beep sidetracks you. Freelance writers must ensure they have the best environment to produce meaningful work and end the day on a positive note.