How can product managers stay organized while self-employed?
Being a self-employed product manager can be rewarding, but also challenging. You have to juggle multiple projects, clients, deadlines, and expectations, while also managing your own time, finances, and well-being. How can you stay organized and productive without losing your sanity? Here are some tips to help you succeed as a freelance or consultant product manager.
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Gagan MahajanDirector - Product @ Meesho | Applied ML/ AI | Consumer Internet | Giving back via HelloPM | St. Stephen's Alumnus
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Nishit ParmarKotak Mahindra Bank | GTS | AVP | Product Manager | Ex. IFTAS, RBI Subsidiary | Product Solutioning | Ex. NPCI |…
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Shraddha Dudhgaoli DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH DIGITAL EVOLUTIONProduct at UBS ♦️ 2x LinkedIn's Top Product Management Voice ♦️ Associate Director CTO Office of WMA ♦️ Mentor ♦️ PSPO™…
Before you start any project, make sure you have a clear understanding of the scope, deliverables, timeline, and budget. Communicate with your client regularly and align on the goals and expectations. Use a tool like Asana, Trello, or Jira to track your tasks and progress, and update your client on the status and any issues. Prioritize your work based on the impact, urgency, and dependencies, and don't be afraid to say no to unrealistic or out-of-scope requests.
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Gagan Mahajan
Director - Product @ Meesho | Applied ML/ AI | Consumer Internet | Giving back via HelloPM | St. Stephen's Alumnus
Apply product management kind of problem solving in self employed scenarios as well- - Working backwards from Goal- Give an ambitious yet realistic timeline to yourself - Be curious for newer info- meet people on how they manage routine- use the learnings- iterate for what works for you - Use simple tools that need very less data entry- I have 4 notes with checkboxes in Google Keep- 1 Imp & Urgent, Not Imp but Urgent, Imp but not urgent (Easy to miss in short run, needs focussed dedicated consistently), Not Urgent Not Imp - Keep an activity beyond work that breaks the monotony, fosters creativity and keeps you energised.
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Nishit Parmar
Kotak Mahindra Bank | GTS | AVP | Product Manager | Ex. IFTAS, RBI Subsidiary | Product Solutioning | Ex. NPCI | Product Development | Digital Payments | Digital Banking | MBA in Finance
A crucial aspect of effective product management involves conveying the final objective to key stakeholders while maintaining transparency about ongoing tasks. It is essential for the end goal to be realistic, requiring a product manager to possess the courage to decline impractical features or unrealistic timelines. Project management tools play a vital role in tracking progress and engaging key stakeholders. Project managers can use urgent and important matrix dashboard to track their day to day activities.
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Shraddha Dudhgaoli DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH DIGITAL EVOLUTION
Product at UBS ♦️ 2x LinkedIn's Top Product Management Voice ♦️ Associate Director CTO Office of WMA ♦️ Mentor ♦️ PSPO™ ♦️ 3 x Azure Certified ♦️ Ex- Mastercard and Western Union
Product managers who are self-employed can enhance organization by implementing a robust task management system, such as Trello or Asana, to track and prioritize project-related activities. Maintaining a detailed calendar with deadlines and milestones ensures a clear overview of project timelines. Regularly reviewing and updating a comprehensive to-do list helps in staying focused and meeting objectives efficiently. For instance, a product manager working on a software launch could use these tools to break down tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, ensuring a systematic approach to the project.
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Aakash Gupta
The Product Growth Newsletter 🚀 | Helping PMs, product leaders, and aspiring PMs succeed
Saying no is the most important part here. As a PM, you have to do it to succeed. But it can also be the reason you get fired. It’s very important to say no with tact and still bring that person along for other things you build so they see your impact.
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Yash Vardhan Chaturvedi
Digital Transformation Specialist for Early Growth Stage D2C Brands | Optimizing Processes for a Sustainable Business | Podcast Host @ IDKPodcast
In my experience, using a tool like Asana and maintaining it carefully helps keep a clear track of all the tasks at hand. This further helps in taking prioritisation calls transparently for all stakeholders and work out alternate prioritisation, if needed. The biggest skill to build is to say no, and such a practice helps you say no without guilt and build trust with stakeholders.
Working from home or anywhere can be tempting, but also distracting. To stay focused and motivated, create a routine that works for you and stick to it. Set a regular schedule, plan your breaks, and avoid interruptions. Find a comfortable and quiet workspace, and equip it with the tools and resources you need. Set boundaries with your clients, colleagues, family, and friends, and let them know when you are available and when you are not. Respect your own time and energy, and don't overcommit or burn out.
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Rishab Shah
Founder @ Manos Health | Eliminating the 4 BIGGEST obstacles digital health products face | $100M+ value generated, 22+ products launched | Twin Dad
Nurture a network of remote professionals and like-minded individuals. Engage in virtual communities, attend online networking events, and seek mentorship from experienced remote workers.
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Shereen Abdel Fatah
Product Person - Passionate about doing impact, people, products, startups & technology
Preplan your week like a sprint before the week starts and consciously block your calendar for deep focus-time work and treat it sacredly. Setup templates for all recurring events/tasks, helps you save time and helps set others expectations
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ANMOL CHAVAN
NAVIGATION OFFICER
Establish a routine which fulfils your expectations, & not just a routine which will make you more stressed. Don’t just copy others, set your own standards & boundaries.
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Tony Nielsen
Product Management | Helping with 0-1
Three routines that are valuable to me: 1. Friday reflection & week planning to 2-3 objectives for the next week. Hit the ground running on Monday! ☕️ 2. Midday workout calendar block. Ideal workout times are different for everyone but this time is the easiest for me to get done + I get an energy boost for the afternoon. 🏋🏼 3. Daily huddles/scrums - ideally this is with a team you're collaborating with but there's enough accountability value that I can do this with my dog on a set schedule 🐶
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Alex Perestykh
Senior Product Manager | AI & Data | ex-Yandex
People often underestimate the most crucial aspect of working from the office: the dedicated working environment with the subtle peer pressure that encourages focus on work during the hours spent among colleagues in that particular place. When working from home, it is essential to establish proper workplace hygiene, set specific working hours, and designate a workspace solely dedicated to work. What helps me is blocking hours in the calendar that are dedicated to actual work and having a specific place where I carry out that work. While it may be tempting to spend the entire day lying in bed, it is ultimately counter-productive. Accountability is important, and if you are self-employed, you should hold yourself accountable.
As a self-employed product manager, you need to be efficient and effective with your tools and systems. Choose the ones that suit your needs, preferences, and budget, and learn how to use them well. Use a cloud-based platform like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to store and share your files and documents. Use a tool like Evernote, Notion, or Roam to organize your notes and ideas. Use a tool like Calendly, Doodle, or Google Calendar to schedule your meetings and appointments. Use a tool like Harvest, FreshBooks, or Wave to track your time and invoice your clients.
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Roozbeh Bandpey
AI Strategy Advisor | Founder | Builder
The right system can transform your daily work from reacting to acting. Using football as an analogy, your systems will be your goalkeeper and defense, enabling you to act as a forward. What I've learned over time, especially for more complex systems like finance, invoicing, and CRM, is not to rush into selecting and purchasing tools. Instead, try implementing your desired system in a spreadsheet first. This approach helps you better understand the process and which tool reflects the optimal system. Additionally, avoid over-engineered, and over-reliance on spreadsheets, that's a sign to switch to a specialized tool.
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Rishab Shah
Founder @ Manos Health | Eliminating the 4 BIGGEST obstacles digital health products face | $100M+ value generated, 22+ products launched | Twin Dad
Enhance your time management by automating time-tracking and invoicing processes. This automation minimizes administrative burdens, allowing you to focus more on your core responsibilities and client interactions.
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Somendra Nath Tiwari
Senior Technical Program Manager @ Microsoft | Product Management | MBA IIML | 4G, 5G, Telecom Security | CISSP
Having tools to process all values steps is crucial to increase efficiency and enhance quality outcomes over the period of time.
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Anirudh Perubotla
Product @ Athelas, AI Applications
Finding the right tools to remain productive is key. If you're on a tight budget, try to see which tools offer free plans that you can leverage as an individual. Popular tools like Notion, Calendly, and GDrive are always easy and free to use making it perfect for any self-employed PM.
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Mahendar Birru
Manager @ Uniphos Envirotronic | Multidisciplinary Systems Engineer
Utilizing tools appropriately is instrumental in minimizing costs and efforts. Consider exploring freeware initially to gain valuable exposure to their functionality. It is crucial that any additional tools beyond the ones mentioned are accessible to skilled individuals. Unfortunately, I've observed instances where misuse of tools has impeded workflow instead of enhancing it. Some individuals lack the necessary skills, while others resist adapting due to a generation gap. It is imperative to use computers and software to streamline processes, reduce efforts, and facilitate the automation of reporting, sharing and Authenticating.
Being a self-employed product manager can be isolating and challenging. You have to keep up with the latest trends, best practices, and skills in your field, while also finding new opportunities and clients. To stay on top of your game and grow your business, you need to learn and network constantly. Read blogs, books, newsletters, and podcasts related to product management and your industry. Join online communities, forums, and groups where you can share your insights, ask questions, and get feedback. Attend webinars, workshops, and events where you can meet and connect with other product managers and potential clients.
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Anirudh Perubotla
Product @ Athelas, AI Applications
Networking. Networking. Networking. Networking is key to success in any professional field, but it's especially true as a self-employed product manager. Try to attend workshops or webinars to meet people and connect with them. Networking is not a one step process. After your initial connection, make sure to follow-up with them and keep the relationship alive.
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Samer Mahfouz
Keep learning. Be passionate. Stay connected and Listen. With social media, we assumed it will be easier than ever to network online and share ideas.
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Daria Vasileva
CPO at Data-Driven Lab
The best product manager - is a very curious person who has a vide range of knowledge. You never know when this or that information will be useful. So, keep exploring the world
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Karthikeyan P.T.R.
Consultant @ ZS | Analytics Consulting | Product Management | Ex Mu Sigma | 19K+ Analytics Connections
Learning comes in many forms. Don't limit yourself only to content from research papers, YouTube videos, or podcasts. Start networking with people in your domain via product management meet-ups, in-person/virtual webinars with panel of people from interesting companies, build connections with people participating in such events as well because they will eventually become your co-passengers in this journey. Never stop networking and building relationships with people. You have to walk together to go further.
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Stéphanie Souchet Lourenço
PharmD, Marketing Manager France Biotronik
Networking and open minded spirit. Networking is not something that you need to develop when you are looking a new position. Networking is creating new connections, discovering new visions, other way of dealing, new inspiring businesses!! Open minded spirit is enhancing your vision of the world and of the influencing environment. Help you to gain height and perspective
Being a self-employed product manager can be rewarding, but also stressful. You have to balance your work and life, and take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Don't neglect your hobbies, interests, and passions outside of work. Make time for yourself, your family, and your friends. Exercise regularly, eat well, and sleep enough. Meditate, journal, or do something that relaxes you. Seek support from your peers, mentors, or coaches when you need it. Celebrate your achievements, big and small, and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being your own boss.
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Stan D.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Rondesignlab
Work-life balance? More like life-work fiesta! Don't let self-employment burn you out. Balance projects with playtime, nourish your mind and body, and celebrate wins. Remember, you're the boss, not the hamster on the wheel. Enjoy the freedom, flaunt your flexibility, and let your personal life spice up your product magic. Now go forth and conquer, with a healthy dose of chill, of course!
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Kaveh Khorramnejad
Product Management at Netskope
I believe its critical to balance work and life but I believe in today age and time work and life are somewhat intertwined in a way that they’re not separable like they used to 5 or 10 years ago. Specially if you’re perusing self employment product management career. You just have to learn to live your life and see life through that lens to be successful rather than separating and striking a distinct balance between the two.
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Nick Waverek
Technologist. Husband. Dad. @nickfromfargo
As a self-employed PM, finding a balance is probably THE most critical component to staying sane while navigating the structure of progress through the chaos of growth. Regardless of how, finding areas where separation is key, and others where integration actually works better. One example for me, is my chrome browser. I find having a separate chrome user account for work allows me to use certain extensions, apps, bookmarks, etc in one (or more) session, while a separate chrome window uses my personal account and config. Maybe it’s completely in my head, but the separation of browser sessions allows me to have an integrated workspace that I can pop into personal items at an opportune time, or briefly pop into work mode if/when desired.
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Alex Perestykh
Senior Product Manager | AI & Data | ex-Yandex
As a part of setting boundaries, I believe it is vital to have dedicated work hours and stick to them. Overworking may be helpful in the short-term but is detrimental in the long-term. According to Parkinson's law, work expands to fill the time allocated to it. Therefore, without strict working hours, you inevitably risk spending more time on the same tasks. Concerning health, all your habits compound. When working from the office, you engage in little chats, stand up more throughout the day, and eat at more or less the same time. It is easy to overlook all this when working from home. These factors can compound and lead to health issues in the future. Thus, it is vital to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and a social life.
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Daria Vasileva
CPO at Data-Driven Lab
- You should always have "Focus time" slots - just to filter all the information you've already received. - Let your eyes rest - take 5 minutes brakes every 2 hours. - Do some physical activities. - Spent at least a couple of hours completely been dedicated to your family. All that is very important. But don't forget: if you promised something at work - you should keep your promise.
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Arturo Garcia Velasco
Investor, Venture Builder, Multipreneur & Enthusiast in Fintech, Payments, Emerging tech (AI, blockchain, IoT...), Product, Marketing & Innovation
In general apply Product Management to what you do!! -use MoSCoW prioritization (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) to identify the high-impact activities/ projects -reflect on your progress regularly. What’s working? What’s not? Just as in product development, use feedback loops to adjust your approach -use project management and productivity tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to keep track of your tasks, deadlines, and progress. -use Kanban (for simplicity) to manage your work -keep stakeholders updated -document your processes, ideas, and lessons learned. This can be valuable for future reference and for tracking your growth
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Divyam Chandel
Exploring Applications of AI | Advisor@Kniru | IIT Kharagpur
One thing which changed the way I looked at work was clocking every minute of my time. Not to show it to anyone else but to understand where I put my most efforts and the output it generated. Majority of output was generated by only a few things which I did during the day. This led to a realisation that whatever we do, has to be very well thought of and this one habit will change the way we prioritise things around us. Ultimately impacting the quality of the output we generate.
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Abasse Asgaraly
Chief Executive Officer at KMB Consulting Services
This is such a great question especially after these Covid-19 periods when we had to work from home. Working from home necessitates discipline, strong routine such as getting dressed up like going to the office, creating an environment similar to an office setup and the most importantly to stick to clear time allotted to work and private life.
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Kurt Scheetz
Strategic | Customer-Centric | Product Visionary | Innovation | Execution
Flexibility is your friend. Don't be afraid to adjust your system as needed and find what works best for you. Experiment with different tools and techniques until you discover your organizational zen. Structure Your Schedule: Define "office hours": Carve out dedicated work time and stick to it, even if it's not 9-5. This creates boundaries and prevents work from bleeding into personal life. Prioritize: Know your "Big Rocks": Identify your most important goals and prioritize tasks that move you closer to them. Say no to projects that don't align.
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Balchandra Kemkar
LinkedIn Top Voice | Product Management | GenAI | Open Banking | Fintechs | Transforming Banking Experiences: Driving Innovation in Digital Banking Solutions | Storyteller
Here's what works for me. I am working for an Organization but these principles apply for self-employed PMs as well: 1. Master the Art of Prioritization: Use Eisenhower Matrix 2. Time Blocking: Carve Your Day with Precision 3. The Pomodoro Technique: Sprints for Maximum Focus 4. Digital Detox: Declutter Your Digital Space 5. Task Automation: Let Tools Work for You 6. Effective Meeting Strategies: The Power of Stand-ups and Agenda Setting 7. Single-Tasking Mindset: Quality Over Quantity 8. Mind Mapping for Creativity and Clarity 9. Continuous Learning: The Power of Microlearning Breaks 10. End-of-Day Reflection: Unwind and Plan for Tomorrow Further details about these points can be seen in my newsletter.
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