Entrepreneurship can be challenging. The uncertainties, limited resources, competition, and several other hurdles are enough to make even the most ambitious entrepreneur question their path.
That is why becoming a remote entrepreneur is a next-level challenge. On top of the entrepreneurship struggles, you must deal with communication barriers, time zone differences, security concerns, and other issues. How do you stay on top of your game and enhance productivity?
To help you succeed as a remote entrepreneur, this guide discusses five ways to enhance your productivity.
1. Use Digital Tools
You only need a laptop and a good internet connection to be a remote entrepreneur. Easy, right?
Wrong. Without the digital tools to facilitate remote entrepreneurship, your laptop is as good as a brick. You must equip yourself and your team with the right digital tools to be productive.
Numerous digital tools are available, and each caters to different needs and preferences. Some of them include:
- Automation tools like Zapier and IFTT save time and effort.
- Free fax apps that integrate with Google Drive and Dropbox to streamline access and collaboration.
- Time management apps like Todoist and Toggl improve task and project tracking.
- CRM tools like Hubspot and Salesforce enhance customer management.
- Communication tools like Slack ensure effective collaboration, and eFax to send a fax online.
- Invoicing and expense-tracking applications like FreshBooks and Expensify improve financial management.
Speaking of the right tools, your laptop should be powerful, lightweight, and secure. Remember to carry an extra battery or two.
2. Set Up a Dedicated Workspace
Just because you are working remotely doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out of bed or work on the couch. Apart from the obvious neck, back, and shoulder issues you are investing in, you can’t be as productive as you need to be when you work in areas associated with sleep and relaxation.
A dedicated workspace maximizes your productivity. The simple action of moving from the bed or sofa to the workspace allows you to shift into a focused mindset. Ideally, it should be a spare room, but even the corner of your living room or kitchen can work.
3. Develop Time Management Skills
It is easy to lose track of time when working with no schedule or supervision. Who’s to stop you from extending your break by a few hours? To stay productive as a remote entrepreneur, you must develop effective time management strategies and skills. Here are some tips to help you.
- To focus and allocate enough time to each task, create a schedule that outlines your tasks for the day, week, or month.
- Prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency to avoid wasting time on non-essential tasks.
- Break tasks into smaller chunks to make them more manageable and less daunting.
- Schedule breaks every few hours to touch grass.
Several tools like Google Calendar and the others we discussed can help you manage your time. Explore different options to find the one that works for you.
4. Outsource Some Tasks
More work doesn’t necessarily equal higher productivity. Some tasks, like specialized technical tasks and routine admin work, may not require your personal touch. You would enhance productivity by outsourcing them to your team to focus your time and expertise where it matters.
To identify the tasks to outsource, assess the impact of outsourcing each task compared to handling it yourself.
Equip Yourself with the Right Digital Tools
The freedom and flexibility that remote entrepreneurship offers brings with it communication, collaboration, work-life balance, security, technology, and several other challenges. Navigating these challenges successfully can be an uphill battle.
However, equipping yourself with the right digital tools, implementing cloud storage, setting up a dedicated workspace, developing time management skills, and outsourcing some tasks can enhance your productivity and help you succeed.