A huge part of being self-employed – whether as a freelancer or a microbusiness – is being a self-starter.

We've talked about working on your business as well as working in your business. But today let's talk about how to start, and continue, doing the work.

Whether you work from home, a coworking space, a cafe or an office, these tips should help you get started and keep going with your business.

 

Define Your Time

Being free to set your own working hours is great, but it's easy to let work hours expand, which can quickly become overwhelming.

Don't burn yourself out. Set a maximum number of work hours per week. Time tracking tools (we like Toggl) can be really helpful to stay aware of how much time you're spending on particular clients and projects, as well as how much time you spend working overall.

Deciding on your work hours is also a good idea. Over time you'll learn when you're most alert and get your best work done. 

Work to your rhythms and be sure to take some time for breaks or to do things that expand your creative energy throughout the day. This might mean going for a long walk before you start working, going to yoga at lunchtime, or making a coffee date during your mid-afternoon slump. Don't forget to be a good boss to yourself!

Find what works for you and remember that you don't have to be sitting behind your desk at all times to be productive.

 

Define Your Space

Speaking of desks, defining your workspace can be one of the trickier aspects of being your own boss, particularly if you're working from home.

Working from bed or the couch or alternating spaces can be great for creativity... but don't forget your personal health! Setting up a dedicated workspace will give you the physical and mental space to get to work, spurring routine.

It's also wise to ensure that your workspace is ergonomic so that you're not causing injuries by sitting in an awkward posture. Sound scary? It isn't. Here's a great resource on How to Ergonomically Optimize Your Workspace from Lifehacker.

Defining your workspace, whether it's an office space or just a desk in your living room, is also a good way to signal to anyone who shares your space that you're at work.

Define your space, keep it tidy, remove all distractions, and get down to business.

 

To Cowork or Not to Cowork

Coworking spaces are rising with the tide of self-employment, and most metropolitan areas have some fantastic spaces where you can rent an office or a hot desk for reasonable costs.

Coworking spaces can be as pro- and con- heavy as having a private space. Some microbusiness owners we know love the buzz of working around other creative businesses and find it a great social antidote to working from home in isolation. Other small businesses enjoy it for a time, but can still find it expensive, or dislike the hassle of commuting.

Considering coworking? The RocketSpace blog has a great list of things to consider when joining a coworking space.

 

Change it up

If you're getting stuck, maybe it's time for a change.

Assess where you are, and whether there are habits that you've dropped in favour of others. Perhaps you're working alone on a project and miss working as part of a team, or the opposite. Maybe your workspace isn't working for you and you need to rearrange the furniture – literally or figuratively.

Never underestimate the power of a subtle change in your working habits. Like with your business sales, it's important to keep trying things out, seeing if they work, then iterating.

If all else fails, pick yourself up and go for a quick walk – a change of scenery works wonders for getting your creative juices flowing again.

 

More Tips

Being Boss podcast: How to Do Like a Boss

Working Out podcast: How to Survive Working From Home

Small is Beautiful: Working ON Your Business, How to Be a Good Boss to Yourself, How to Take a Holiday as a Microbusiness, and Managing Yourself.

 

Your Turn

What has your journey to doing the work been like for you? Tell us your story in the comments, email us, or send a tweet using @smallisb and #smallisb!