5 Solopreneur Productivity Tools for Smarter Work Habits
Ever feel like your phone is your most obnoxious coworker? You sit down to write a client proposal, and 30 minutes later you haven't started because you've been scrolling through Instagram.
When you work for yourself, there's no manager walking by your desk to keep you on task. There's no team depending on you to show up to a meeting. It's just you, your to-do list, and a whole lot of ways to get distracted throughout the day.
41% of solopreneurs report time management as a top operational challenge. And it's not just your phone or social media. Your focus might also be pulled by admin tasks or all the hats you need to wear to keep your business running.
I've found a few good solopreneur productivity tools to help me stay focused. They address different needs, but — combined — let me do a lot more within my workweek.
Why do solopreneurs struggle with productivity?
Solopreneur productivity isn't the same as productivity at a corporate job. When you're working for an employer, you're filling a bucket of time within the day (40 hours). Some people might be self-motivated, but the reward for productivity is more work, since you still have to work 40 hours.
The reward for solopreneur productivity is more time. When you work efficiently, you have options. You can take on more work (and earn more money), or you can simply enjoy the additional free time.
Unlike traditional jobs, relying on managers or co-workers, solopreneurs must create their own systems for focus. Without solopreneur productivity tools, it's easy to lose control of your time. You find yourself responding to emails the moment they arrive, staring at a never-ending to-do list, and losing hours every week to context-switching.
The good news? You don't need superhuman willpower to become more productive (though wouldn't that be a cool skill?). You just need the right tools.
Anna Burgess Yang
5 tools to boost your focus and productivity
The best productivity tools for solopreneurs address five key areas: distraction blocking, focused time for deep work, accountability, automation, and AI assistance. Here are the tools I recommend in each category.
1. Brick: Block distracting apps on your phone
Brick is a physical device that temporarily blocks apps on your phone. You can turn on Brick mode directly from the app or put it on a schedule. But to unbrick your device, you have to return to the Brick device and tap your phone to it.
I tried my iPhone's built-in screen time features, and they were far too easy to override (so basically worthless). But my Brick is out of reach, in another room of my house. I have to get up from my desk to unbrick my device.
You need to make a conscious decision to override the Brick mode. Plus, it takes effort if you put the Brick far enough away. In most cases, I simply put my phone down, deciding that it's not worth it.
2. Focus Friend: Gamify your focus sessions
Focus Friend is a gamified focus timer app created by Hank Green. Your "friend" is a little bean that knits. If you don't disrupt the bean (by opening another app), the bean will finish knitting and you can use points to decorate the bean's apartment. If you do break the bean's knitting session, the bean sobs in dismay.
The game is adorable (and free!). My teenager loves it and is determined not to disappoint the bean. Because you earn rewards, it's more interesting than something like a Pomodoro timer alone.
If you already use time-blocking strategies, Focus Friend is a great addition. Set a 25 or 50-minute session, and let the app give you that small dopamine hit for staying on task.
3. Flow Club: Virtual coworking and body doubling
Flow Club is a virtual coworking platform where you join live sessions with other remote workers. You share your goals at the start of a session, work during a focused period, and debrief at the end.
Body doubling — working in the presence of another person — is a proven technique for focus, especially for those with ADHD. It creates a sense of accountability and shared energy that helps many people stay on task.
Flow Club brings the feeling of a coworking space or coffee shop to your home office, without requiring you to leave your house. Body doubling can be particularly beneficial if you're working on a project or a difficult task.
4. Zapier: Automate repetitive tasks
Zapier [affiliate link] is an automation platform that connects your apps and automates workflows. You can do things like automatically save email attachments to your Google Drive or automatically add new form submissions to your CRM.
In my business, Zapier automates about 1,500 tasks per month. Every minute saved on repetitive admin tasks is a minute I can spend on higher-value work. And when you're the only person in your business, those minutes add up fast.
5. Claude Projects: Your AI thinking partner
Claude is a generative AI assistant that can help with brainstorming, drafting, research, and problem-solving. I use Claude Projects specifically, which lets me upload documents and maintain context across conversations.
AI doesn't replace my expertise, but it's a helpful "sparring partner" when I'm working alone and have no one to bounce ideas off of. For example, I have a Project set up with all of my brand guidelines and a Voice and Tone Guide. I'll ask Claude to generate the first draft of copy for a new landing page. I'll still edit the output, but it's a starting point.
The key is to treat AI output as a starting point, not a final destination. It's a lot easier (for me) to edit something existing than to stare at a blank screen.
Solopreneur productivity checklist
- Identify your top distractions while working
- Use a focus timer or app-blocking tool during deep work
- Schedule at least one coworking or body doubling session per week
- Automate one repetitive task this month
- Use AI for brainstorming or first drafts of a project (not final output)
Start with one productivity tool, then keep going
Productivity as a solopreneur is about working smarter with the right tools and systems in place. If good habits fit easily into your workday, you don't have to think about them as much. You shouldn't need to rely on sheer willpower to be productive.
You don't need to adopt all five tools at once. Pick one that addresses your biggest problem and try it for a week. See what changes. Then, if you need more tools to help you stay productive, you can layer in additional strategies.
Want to see what automation actually looks like in a solo business?
Check out my free guide.
FAQ
How do solopreneurs stay focused when working alone?
Solopreneurs can stay focused by creating external accountability (like body doubling or coworking). They can also reduce digital distractions with phone blockers or app limits.
What is body doubling and why does it work?
Body doubling is working in the presence of another person, either in person or virtually. It creates a sense of accountability that helps many people, especially those with ADHD, stay focused on tasks.
How can AI help solopreneurs be more productive?
AI tools can help solopreneurs brainstorm ideas, summarize research, and automate parts of their workflow. When used as a thinking partner rather than a replacement for the solopreneur's expertise, AI can save hours each week.
How much time do distractions cost solopreneurs?
Research suggests workers lose an average of an hour or more per day to phone distractions alone. For solopreneurs, this can translate to thousands of dollars in lost productivity.
