7 Time Management Hacks for the Ever-Busy Gig Worker
Abdullahi Muhammed
Piecework. It is an old industrial term that referred to people who were paid by the number of pieces they produced – maybe articles of clothing, as an example. The same term could be applied to today’s digital “gig” worker, but there is one major difference.
In traditional piecework, a factory supervisor or manager controlled the work environment of that pieceworker- the place of work, as well as the hours. Today’s gig worker controls his own environment and hours but is still often paid according to his output.
And in that personal control, there are the ever present negatives that can impact that output – procrastination and lack of organization.
If you intend to make a good living in the gig economy, then you will need to heed the “hacks” that will make you productive and producing income. Here are seven tips that should help.
1. The most important tasks come first
So, you have several gigs going at once. It’s easy to get into the mode of skipping around and working on them all, a little at a time. Stop. Just stop. This approach forces your brain to start and stop and to refocus too much. There is an old adage that says, “One potato at a time.” You can only work productively when you focus on one gig at a time.
Prioritize your list of gigs in the order of their deadlines. Start with the most urgent and do not go to any others until it is done. Then move on to #2.
2. Sometimes you have to say “no”
The temptation to say “yes” to every gig that comes your way is always upon you. You want to earn as much as possible. Yet, you are often unrealistic about what you can really manage. So, you take on more than you can do.
Here’s the thing: You have so many hours in each day. If you have doubts about being able to meet the demands of a new gig, then try to negotiate. Be honest and state that you cannot get to the task until whatever you have determined is reasonable. You may lose that gig, but you will at least stay on track to complete the others on your plate and complete them well.
3. Close off all distractions
It’s hard, but you have to do it. Turn off your phone; close out your browser. Find a quiet place without any distractions. If you can’t do this at home, go to a coffee shop. You have to immerse yourself in the project at hand, if you intend to get it done quickly.
4. Track the time spent on unproductive things
You may not even realize how much time you spend on Facebook, on gaming, or on TV. Track it for a week. You may be amazed at how much time you lose on these activities.
“When you have figured out how much time you lose, go back and set yourself a schedule,” says Gordan Banjac, CEO of Gimmio, a web apps platform for business growth. “Block specific times for breaks when you will have your ‘downtime,’ and stick to it. Think of these things as rewards for when you get your work done.”
5. Leave the details for the end
You may be a perfectionist and that’s okay. But to try to achieve perfection as you work on a task or project will slow you down. Get the project completed first. Then, go back and look at the details. Stop examining each step as you complete it and wait until the end. You can always revise.
6. Set a “buffer” between tasks
You can’t move from one task to the next without a break. Each time you complete a project, step away from your workspace. Play that video game, take a walk, even do some cleaning. The goal is to clear your head.
7. Stop thinking in terms of your whole list
You may have seven gigs in the hopper right now. And the list looks overwhelming. So focus only on the one task that is before you right now. And when you can cross that one task off of your list, what a great feeling!
Notice that these tips did not include the use of organizing and scheduling tools. My advice is this: if you need them to stay on track, then find those that work for you. If you can do without (as many gig workers do), then don’t worry about the right tools too much. You know yourself. Do what works for you.