Have you ever experienced having your entire workday ruined because you don’t have something you badly needed for work? Not only were you frustrated, but you also couldn’t get anything done. Well, you might’ve gotten something done but the work quality was bad.
Here are the essentials that solopreneurs like you should have to make your work easier and keep your productivity high. Don’t worry, I’m not forcing you to buy these things. I’m just saying that you can do more with less by owning these tools.
1. Sturdy ventilated backpack
Backpacks are useful to solopreneurs who have tasks that require them to be constantly on the go. It must be sturdy to handle the stress of being moved around and well ventilated to keep your back from sweating.
The backpack must also be big enough to house a laptop, its peripherals, smaller gadgets, and the other daily essentials to be mentioned below.
2. Snacks and a water tumbler
At any time of the day, you can feel hungry and thirsty while working outside your home. And letting yourself stay hungry or thirsty for too long ruins your productivity. However, walking to the nearest shop to buy food or a drink can take too much of your time.
Having snacks and water in your backpack can help you save time because all you need to do is open your bag to eat and drink.
3. Powerful laptop
Your laptop should be powerful enough to open multiple tabs, apps, and programs simultaneously without crashing or lagging that could cause data corruption or damaged files. It must be able to process data quickly and efficiently on par with your working speed.
4. Powerful phone with reliable mobile data and a high mAh power bank
You don’t always need a laptop to do some tasks such as video conferencing, answering chats, or reading important emails. A handy smartphone can be as useful for that. However, your phone must also be powerful and can perform tasks efficiently just as your laptop can.
Apps update regularly and would take up a lot of phone storage. This would eventually slow the phone down. The latest smartphones also have the latest security software – perfect for stopping cybercriminals from stealing your valuable information.
In terms of mobile data, you will need it in places without wifi and using it could drain your phone battery fast. So choose a network provider with large areas of coverage and take with you a long-lasting power bank, especially if your work requires you to be on the go.
5. Car or motorcycle
Commuting from one place to another saves you a lot of money but it doesn’t save you time. A car, however, may be costly but it helps you get from point A to point B anytime you want. It’s also better to own a motorcycle especially if you face regular traffic when traveling.
A solopreneur friend of mine owns a Tesla Model X and a Kawasaki to go to work. I was curious why he would buy a motorcycle when he already has a car. He said,
“A motorcycle is easy to start and park. It can get past traffic easily. It has a lower fuel consumption than four-wheels and usually runs faster. It also helps me arrive early at the office or wherever the business wants me to go. That way, I have more time to get my tasks done. Sometimes, I even finish early. This makes me arrive home early to have more time for relaxation and family bonding.”
And he’s right. However, if you do decide to buy a motorcycle, always remember to drive safely especially at night.
6. Extra clothing
Always carry an extra shirt or pants with you. Because sweat or a coffee spill may happen. Stay productive at the office by wearing fresh, clean, and comfy clothes.
7. Anti-blue glasses
Too much screen time can cause computer eye strains which ruins your productivity. Anti-blue glasses may not prevent eye strain from happening but they can significantly increase your screen-staring threshold.
Is there something in this list that you agree would add value to your solopreneur life and make it a lot easier? Ask yourself these questions first before deciding to finally buy it: Will I use it every day? Is it really worth it to spend precious money buying this item? Make sure when you buy a tool, it won’t sit in your office or home taking up precious space.
High productivity is one of the keys for successful solopreneurship. Learn how to achieve it by reading the articles below:
- Task Batching: How to Use It to Maximize Productivity
- 7 Productivity Tips While You’re Working from Home
- Essential Productivity Tips for Part-Time Solopreneurs
- How to Clear Your Headspace for More Productivity
- Less Is More: How to Declutter Your Home Office to Make Room for Productivity
You might as well listen to my podcasts!
