5 Productivity Techniques for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs: Find Your Perfect Fit in 2025

Freelancing is a dream, right? Freedom, flexibility, and no mandatory working hours. These perks come with a challenge, though: time management. There is such a thing as too much flexibility. 

If you’ve struggled with time management and productivity, you may benefit from following a structured productivity plan. While no two people will have the same needs, using a tried and tested productivity technique might help you get on track.

I’ve curated a list of five productivity techniques, some widely popular and some lesser-known, for you to choose from. I’ll also provide a little background on each technique, how to get started, and cover their pros and cons. 

Let’s get to it.

Body Doubling: Get Accountable, Get Sh*t Done

Best for: Combating isolation, accountability, reducing distractions

Body doubling is a technique that pairs you with someone else to work together, even if you’re not working on the same thing. If you feel a little lonely or isolated working from home, this could be a great technique for you. Building a thriving network is one of Forbes’s 4 Strategies To Thrive In A Manager-Less Workplace, so why not partner up to get some work done?

How it works: 

Set up a coworking session with a fellow freelancer or entrepreneur. You can do this remotely or in person, just pick a time and date when you meet and commit to working on your individual tasks. Having someone to work alongside you can help you stay motivated, focused, and feel less alone.

Pros: 

• Helps you feel less isolated when working from home
• Increases motivation and accountability
• Creates a designated work environment 

Cons:

• Requires commitment and follow-through from another person
• The social aspect could be distracting if you let it
• May feel awkward at first

MIB Pro Tips:

1. Start slow. Do a master session per week or even per month and see how it goes. If you like it, add more. 
2. If you don’t have someone to work with, try finding someone on a platform like Focusmate.
3. If you don’t want to work with a live person, search “work with me focus session” on YouTube and find some buddy videos. 

Time Blocking: But Do It Your Way

Best for: Structuring your day, eliminating decision fatigue, staying on track with multiple tasks

This is a common time management technique that you may have tried before. Made popular by Cal Newport, time blocking is designed to reduce the mental load of figuring out what to work on next.

How it works:

Don’t stop at a simple to-do list. Take that list and schedule it into time blocks throughout your day or even week. Each task on your list will get a designated time block where your focus is entirely dedicated to that task. For example, 8 am-830 am, respond to emails, or 9 am-11 am article research.

Pros:

• Helps you stay organized and prioritize your time
• Reduces decision fatigue about what to do next
• Minimizes distractions by focusing on one task at a time

Cons:

• Might feel rigid, especially if tasks don’t take the time you expected
• May stress you out if you don’t plan enough buffer time for overflows
• Could be overwhelming as you get started, especially if you aren’t used to planning

MIB Pro Tip:

Don’t over-romanticize it. Perfectly scheduling your day or week isn’t going to automatically make it perfect. Your time blocks need to be something you can actually implement and stick to. 

Make sure your time blocking is realistic and incorporates breaks and buffer time. Ease yourself into it. For example, start by time blocking just your morning or just one day a week to test it out.

From a freelancer writer who uses this method:

“What I like about time blocking is that it gives me a sense of control over my day. Back when I was working full-time as a nurse, my schedule was pretty much mapped out, and that structure really helped. Transitioning to freelance writing, I realized I needed something similar to keep my days organized and stay disciplined. Time blocking has been great for that, it helps me feel grounded and focused, even with the flexibility of working remotely.”

Rashida Ruwa, Freelance Health & Wellness Writer

Eat that Frog: Figuratively, of Course

Best for: People who tend to procrastinate intimidating, boring, or just ‘meh’ tasks.

The idea behind this technique comes from a saying often (maybe wrongly?) credited to Mark Twain: “If you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, nothing worse can happen to you all day.” 

Productivity expert Brian Tracy turned this into a strategy. Basically, your “frog” is the task you’re most likely to procrastinate. Once it’s out of the way, you’ll feel more accomplished, less stressed, and more motivated to take on the rest of your day.

How it works:

Pinpoint your most intimidating or boring task, or (for me) something that you just keep putting off. This could be some intense article research, reaching out to a content manager to discuss a pay increase, or admin work. 

Start that task first thing and don’t do anything else until you’ve completed it. 

Pros:

• Eliminates procrastination and builds momentum
• Reduces stress by taking care of the hardest task right away
• Boosts your confidence by starting the day with a win

Cons:

• You may be someone who is better suited to creative tasks in the morning
• Spending too much time on the “frog” could throw a wrench in the rest of your schedule 
• What feels like the hardest task might not be the most urgent or beneficial task to work on

MIB Pro Tips:

1. Ask yourself if the “frog” is something that will help you reach your goals rather than just something daunting or you don’t want to do. If it’s not time-sensitive or for a client, you may want to prioritize something that is. 
2. Rather than every day, pick one day a week for that pesky frog eating to make sure it doesn’t interrupt completing other important tasks.

The 52/17 Rule: No Math Required (But You Do Need a Timer)

Best for: Balancing productivity and rest, mental clarity, and people who forget to take breaks (hello, that’s me)

The 52/17 rule is a research-backed method similar to the Pomodoro Method in that you work for a set amount of time followed by a designated break. For the 52/17 rule, those times are – you guessed it – 52 minutes followed by a 17-minute break.

The idea behind this is that a 52/17 split is the most effective way to maintain focus and energy throughout your day.

How it works: Pretty easy to figure this one out: Work for 52 minutes, take a break for 17 minutes, rinse and repeat.

Pros:

• Research-supported perfect balance between work and rest
• Helps you maintain focus over long or intensive workdays
• Prevents mental fatigue/burnout by ensuring you take breaks

Cons:

• Might interrupt your flow if you’re deep in a task
• Requires constant attention to time management
• Using timers constantly might get tedious for some

MIB Pro Tip:

Using an app can help you, such as Be Focused or Toggl so you don’t have to think about the timing. 

Because you may be constantly on your phone to turn off and start timers, consider putting your phone on airplane mode so you aren’t getting distracted by notifications. If you think phone distractions will be an issue, use your computer as a timer. Toggl lets you do this through its site.

The Ivy Lee Method: Prioritize Like a Pro

Best for: Reducing overwhelm while staying organized, focusing on high-priority tasks

The Ivy Lee method is a simple, yet powerhouse of a technique that’s designed to help you prioritize your daily tasks. Developed by productivity consultant Ivy Lee, it’s created to help you focus on what matters the most.

How it works: Each night, write down the six most important tasks for the day ahead. Only six. Then, put them in order of importance, with the most important being at the top of the list. The next day, start with the first and don’t progress to the second until you are finished.

Pros:

• Reduces overwhelm by limiting the number of tasks for each day
• Helps you stay on track with high-priority work
• Keeps your day organized, which can limit distractions and time wasted on unimportant tasks

Cons:

• If you have unpredictable work, this method may not work well
• Requires you to be realistic about what you can achieve in one day, which may take some practice
• You may underestimate how long the first or second tasks may take, leaving you to scramble to complete other important tasks by the end of the day

MIB Pro Tips:

1. When creating your list, include task types from multiple categories, such as one writing task, one admin task, and one client-facing or marketing task. This will help your day stay balanced.
2. Include a quick-win task. Although not really part of the method, it will help you maintain momentum to have a short, easy-to-complete task in the middle of your list. 

Tips: How to Make a New Productivity Technique Work for You

Trying a new productivity method can feel like a big change, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here is what I do when testing out a new technique:

• Ease Into It: Start with just one technique and commit to trying it for a few weeks.
• Customize It: Adjust the method to suit your schedule and work style.
• Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you with this technique.
• Reflect & Adjust: At the end of a day or week, note what worked and what didn’t.
• Be Realistic: Choose a method that fits your workload and energy levels.
• Stay Flexible: Don’t hesitate to mix techniques or modify them as needed.
• Build Habits Gradually: Consistency is key—small steps can lead to big results.

Make Working from Home Work for You

When you start working on your productivity, you are likely to hit some roadblocks, and that’s ok. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Adjust, iterate, and give it time to stick. If one productivity technique isn’t working, pick another or combine a couple to create your own bespoke mix.

These strategies are designed to help you achieve more, stress less, and build a remote work-life balance that serves your needs.

If productivity techniques feel too rigid for you, consider mapping out your perfect remote work routine instead. And if you want more tips for remote work productivity, sign up for our newsletter, Making it Brighter.

FAQs

How can remote workers stay productive during the workday?

Staying productive as a remote worker requires structure and focus. You might find techniques like time blocking or the Ivy Lee Method can help you prioritize tasks and maintain a routine. It’s also essential to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, create a dedicated workspace, and take regular breaks to avoid burnout.

What are the best time management techniques for freelancers?

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you which method is the best for you, and neither can anyone else. You’ll need to experiment and find one that fits your schedule and work style and is sustainable. However, general tips for time management include breaking your day into focused work blocks, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, and regularly reviewing your goals. 

Be flexible and adapt your approach as needed—what works today might need tweaking tomorrow.

How do I create a work-life balance while working from home?

Creating work-life balance requires setting boundaries. Designate specific work hours and create a dedicated workspace separate from your personal space. It’s also important to take breaks, disconnect from work at the end of the day, and make time for personal activities to recharge. For me, that’s either an evening alone doing some self-care or hitting up a friend to hang out.

How can I avoid distractions when working from home?

Silence your phone, close unnecessary tabs, and let others in your household know your work hours. Noise-canceling headphones have been a game-changer for me. I can wander around to grab a cup of tea or snack and if other people talk to me, well, I just can’t hear them.

What are some productivity hacks for freelance writers and entrepreneurs?

I personally hate the word “hack” because I think strong productivity practices develop with consistency. That being said, to boost productivity, try breaking tasks into smaller steps, using a time management technique that suits you, and minimizing distractions by working in focused bursts. Regularly reassess your goals to ensure you’re on track, and take breaks to recharge.