7 Common Productivity Struggles Handmade Sellers Face (And How to Overcome Them)

Tackle the Overwhelm and Get More Done With These Simple Strategies

As a creative entrepreneur and handmade seller, you likely have a never-ending list of ideas and projects you want to bring to life. But sometimes, the sheer number of tasks can leave you feeling overwhelmed, leading to unfinished projects and frustration. Don't worry—you’re not alone! Below are seven common productivity struggles that many handmade sellers face and, more importantly, how to overcome them.

1. Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Focus

You have tons of amazing ideas—but sometimes that’s part of the problem. When every new idea seems exciting, it’s easy to start multiple projects and never finish them. Incomplete tasks pile up, and soon, nothing gets done.

Solution: Prioritize. Choose one or two big projects to focus on at a time and break them into smaller, manageable tasks. Completing one thing at a time will build momentum, helping you finish more in the long run.

2. Perfectionism

You want your work to be just right, which is great, but aiming for perfection can slow you down. You might delay finishing something because it’s not exactly how you envisioned it. While attention to detail is important, perfectionism can lead to unnecessary delays.

Solution: Aim for progress over perfection. Done is better than perfect, and you can always improve things over time. Remember, launching something “good enough” is better than waiting forever for perfection.

3. Overwhelm

When there are too many projects on your plate, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. This can lead to procrastination or focusing on smaller, less important tasks, instead of tackling the bigger ones.

Solution: Try time blocking or batch working to focus on one area at a time. Set aside specific time blocks to work on one project or group similar tasks together. This will help reduce overwhelm and give you a sense of accomplishment as you complete each block.

4. Too Much Multi-Tasking

You’re naturally a multi-tasker, always juggling several things at once. But switching between tasks can break your focus and make it harder to finish anything. You might start working on a new product, get distracted by a social media post, and end up bouncing between tasks without actually completing any of them.

Solution: Practice single-tasking. Use a timer (like the Pomodoro technique) to focus on one task for 25 minutes without switching to something else. This helps improve focus and increases productivity.

5. Lack of Delegation

You’re great at what you do, but it’s impossible to do it all. Maybe you’re holding on to tasks that someone else could do because you want them done a certain way. But trying to do everything yourself can slow down your business growth.

Solution: Delegate more tasks. Focus on your zone of genius—the things only you can do—and outsource the rest. Whether it’s hiring help for packaging, customer service, or marketing, delegating allows you to complete the most important projects faster and with less stress.

6. No Clear Deadlines

Without clear deadlines, projects can linger unfinished. You might be excited about a new idea, but without a timeline, the actual completion of the project gets pushed further down your to-do list.

Solution: Set specific deadlines for each project or task. If needed, involve someone who can hold you accountable—a team member, virtual assistant, or business coach. Having firm deadlines will motivate you to stay on track and complete tasks in a timely manner.

7. You Love Starting More Than Finishing

Starting new projects is where you shine—you’re excited and full of energy at the idea stage! But as you move into the execution phase, the energy dips, and finishing becomes more of a chore. Sound familiar?

Solution: Celebrate small wins along the way. Breaking your project into smaller phases and rewarding yourself after each completion can help you stay motivated. Whether it’s taking a break, treating yourself, or celebrating with your team, these small rewards can keep the momentum going.

Final Thoughts

Running a handmade business is no easy task, but by recognizing where productivity struggles tend to creep in, you can tackle them head-on. From prioritizing tasks to setting deadlines and delegating, these strategies can help you get more done without burning out. Remember, progress beats perfection, and sometimes, the key is simply to start—and finish.