Entrepreneurs and remote workers enjoy the flexibility of setting their own schedules, but without structure, it’s easy to fall into productivity traps. Time management isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. At Hangr Coworks, we understand the challenges of balancing workload, meetings, and personal time, so here are some tried-and-true time management hacks to help you stay focused and maximize efficiency.

1. Plan Your Day the Night Before

Starting your day with a plan eliminates decision fatigue and sets you up for success. Take 10 minutes each night to outline your top three priorities for the next day. Whether you use a physical planner or a digital tool like Trello or Asana, having a clear roadmap will help you hit the ground running in the morning.

2. Time Block Your Schedule

Time blocking is one of the most effective ways to stay productive. Instead of reacting to tasks as they come, allocate specific time slots for different activities—emails, deep work, meetings, and breaks. The Pomodoro Technique (working in 25-minute sprints with 5-minute breaks) can also help maintain focus and prevent burnout.

3. Eliminate Distractions

One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is avoiding distractions. Here’s how to stay on track:

• Use noise-canceling headphones or listen to focus-boosting playlists.
• Set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” during deep work sessions.
• Work in a dedicated, clutter-free workspace (like Hangr Coworks!).
• Use website blockers like Freedom or StayFocusd to prevent unnecessary browsing.

4. Set Boundaries for Work and Personal Life

Working from home often blurs the line between work and personal life. To maintain balance:

• Establish a designated workspace.
• Set work hours and stick to them.
• Communicate availability to family and friends to minimize interruptions.
• End your workday with a shutdown ritual, such as reviewing your tasks or taking a short walk.

5. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix

Not all tasks are created equal. The Eisenhower Matrix helps categorize tasks based on urgency and importance:

• Urgent & Important – Do these immediately.
• Important but Not Urgent – Schedule time for these.
• Urgent but Not Important – Delegate if possible.
• Neither Urgent nor Important – Eliminate or postpone. This method helps cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

6. Leverage Technology for Productivity

There are countless tools to streamline workflow and keep you on track. Some favorites include:

• Notion or Evernote – For organizing notes and projects.
• Slack or Microsoft Teams – For efficient team communication.
• RescueTime – To analyze how you spend your time.
• Google Calendar – For scheduling and time blocking.

7. Take Breaks to Recharge

Contrary to popular belief, working longer hours doesn’t always mean getting more done. Regular breaks improve productivity and creativity. Try the 90-minute work cycle—work in focused sessions, then step away for a few minutes to refresh your mind. Taking a walk, stretching, or grabbing a coffee at Hangr Coworks can do wonders for productivity.

8. Join a Coworking Community for Accountability

One of the best ways to improve time management is to work in a productive environment. Coworking spaces like Hangr Coworks provide structure, reduce distractions, and offer networking opportunities with other driven professionals. Surrounding yourself with motivated individuals fosters accountability and keeps you focused.

Maximize Your Productivity at Hangr Coworks

Time management is a skill that takes practice, but with the right habits and environment, you can take control of your schedule and accomplish more. If you’re looking for a workspace that supports your productivity while offering a strong professional community, Hangr Coworks is the perfect place.

Want to work smarter, not harder? Book a tour at Hangr Coworks today and start optimizing your workday!

Being self-employed comes with incredible freedom—choosing your own projects, setting your own hours, and growing your business on your terms. However, one challenge that many self-employed professionals face is managing taxes. Without an employer handling withholdings, staying on top of tax obligations is essential to avoid surprises.

At Hangr Coworks, we love connecting our members with valuable resources, and who better to share expert tax advice than our very own member, Jill Flinton, CPA? Here are Jill’s top tax tips to help freelancers, consultants, and small business owners navigate tax season with confidence.

1. Keep Track of Your Income and Expenses

The key to stress-free tax preparation is maintaining accurate financial records. Use accounting software or a simple spreadsheet to track income and categorize expenses throughout the year. This helps ensure you’re not scrambling to find receipts when tax deadlines approach.

2. Know What You Can Deduct

As a self-employed professional, you can deduct a range of business expenses that reduce your taxable income. Common deductions include:

• Home office deduction – If you work from home, a portion of your rent/mortgage, utilities, and internet may be deductible.
• Coworking space fees – Your Hangr Coworks membership is a legitimate business expense!
• Office supplies and equipment – Computers, printers, and even pens and notebooks count.
• Marketing and advertising – Website costs, social media ads, and business cards are deductible expenses.
• Professional development – Courses, workshops, and certifications that help grow your business.

3. Set Aside Money for Quarterly Taxes

Unlike traditional employees, self-employed individuals don’t have taxes withheld from their income. The IRS requires estimated quarterly tax payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year. Mark your calendar for these deadlines:

• April 15
• June 15
• September 15
• January 15 (of the following year)

Setting aside a percentage of your income each month for taxes will prevent financial stress when payments are due.

4. Understand Self-Employment Tax

Self-employed individuals must pay self-employment tax (15.3%) to cover Social Security and Medicare, in addition to income tax. 

5. Consider Retirement Contributions

Saving for retirement not only secures your future but can also reduce your taxable income. Self-employed professionals can contribute to:

• SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)
• Solo 401(k)
• Traditional or Roth IRA These options provide tax advantages while helping you build long-term financial security.

6. Keep Business and Personal Finances Separate

Open a dedicated business bank account to track income and expenses more efficiently. This simplifies bookkeeping and makes it easier to claim deductions accurately.

If you are using a credit card, ideally have one in the business name. If that is not initially possible, use one card exclusively for business expenses.

7. Work with a Professional CPA

While DIY tax software can help, having a knowledgeable CPA like Jill Flinton on your team ensures you’re maximizing deductions and staying compliant with tax laws. A tax professional can provide personalized guidance and help you plan for future growth.

Stay Tax-Savvy and Focus on What You Do Best
Tax season doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By staying organized, planning ahead, and leveraging expert advice, you can keep more of your hard-earned money while remaining compliant with tax regulations.

Want to connect with other professionals like Jill Flinton and gain valuable insights for your business? Hangr Coworks is more than just a workspace—it’s a community that helps you thrive.

Need personalized tax advice? Reach out to Jill Flinton, CPA, and take the stress out of tax season! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beginning April 15, 2023, Hangr Coworks and Palette Offer Reciprocal Membership to its members.

Available for full-time members at Hangr Coworks in Clifton Park, and the Palette Community in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, active members are now offered a reciprocal membership with Palette and Hangr Coworks, which allows for up to two visits per month to Palette’s or Hangr Coworks OPEN SEATING coworking spaces during standard business hours. (Subject to availability).

This will allow for more connection, collaboration and community between our organizations and we are here for that!

Members may visit the PARTNER page to request their Guest Pass. 

Headshot Mini Sessions - January 19th

Headshot Minis will happen one day per month at a discounted rate of $99.

You get a 20-30 minute mini headshot & selection session with the Flight Creative Photo Team. At the end of your session you will get to see your headshots instantly on an iPad and select your 10 favorite images to be shared to you in high resolution. 

We’ve noticed, after years of shooting dozens and dozens of headshots – is that some people just need a super quick 20 minute update and not the full hour or the chats or all the posing or the multiple outfits. Some just need that one good shot and then need to race back to work. There is only time for one outfit with a choice of several standard backgrounds. These are quick and easy headshots for the person that doesn’t need or want spend hours at a photo studio.

There are upgrade options just like in all of our sessions. You will have the option to purchase additional "retouched" images for $39 apiece or 4 for $129.  

Next Session is January 19th, 2023 - Starting at 9:30am at Hangr Coworks in Clifton Park. 

Reserve Your 30-Minute Session Today

A $25.00 deposit is required at the time of booking. This booking deposit is refundable if you need to cancel more than 24-hours before your scheduled session. No refunds will be given if you cancel less than 24-hours before your scheduled booking.