There are only so many hours in a day and only so many days in a week. Letting this time pass by without using it effectively often results in losing out on income or being forced to spend more than you should. This is especially true for self-employed individuals and those running their own business.

The path to avoiding money problems associated with wasted time begins with better productivity. By being more productive, you make better use of your time and consequently improve your ability to earn income while also avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to be more productive:

Stay Organized

How many hours do you spend per week trying to find the information you need to get your work done? You probably don’t know and don’t want to know. Being better organized is essential for being more productive. Consider using a notes app capable of syncing across all your devices. Having a centralized source of relevant information enables individuals to swiftly access the documents and details they need to finish their tasks on time.

Stay Energized

The mid-afternoon slump so many of us experience can have a devastating effect on our productivity, especially over the course of months and years. Avoiding fatigue during working hours is critical to improving productivity. Rather than relying on sugary snacks and other unhealthy pick-me-ups, opt to improve your overall health. Better sleep patterns, eating right, and regular exercise will positively impact your ability to maintain high energy levels throughout the day.

Optimize Workflow

The greatest leaps forward in terms of improving productivity stem from the optimization of workflow. While this is more commonly achieved thanks to companies and industries adapting new techniques and systems, the same can be achieved by individuals. Examine the way you currently do things to detect ways in which they can be done faster without compromising the quality of the output. Identify areas where your productivity is especially stagnant and develop ideas for reducing or even eliminating the wasted time. Hire an outside consultant if needed. While this might result in a short-term loss of productivity as you attempt to work the kinks out, it’ll likely lead to a long-term improvement in your efficiency.

Eliminate Distractions

Most people underestimate how detrimental distractions can be to their ability to be productive. 20 seconds worth of distractions here and there quickly accumulate to minutes, which adds up to hours over the course of a year. Do you stop and look at your phone every time you hear an alert from social media? If so, turn the alerts off. Is it a habit to stop and browse Reddit in between assignments? If so, use a site blocker to check yourself. These and similar techniques for eliminating distractions will have a tremendous impact on your effort to boost productivity.

Take Breaks

It sounds counterintuitive, but breaks and time off from work are essential to maintaining optimal levels of productivity. You are not a machine; people need to rest now and then. Avoiding time off will lead to burnout, which will consequently lead to a reduction in productivity. One or more days off per week will give you the chance to recharge your batteries and regroup. In the absence of a traditional work situation where employees are given the weekend off, individuals are responsible for managing their own time on their own terms. Develop a schedule that affords you the chance to take time off during the week, or else you’ll wind up in a perpetual effort to overcome the burden of burnout.

The relationship between productivity and income is the foundation of financial success. Simply put, you have to make the most of your time because time is money. With this in mind, efforts to improve productivity will inevitably lead to better financial situations.