We all have 24 hours in a day yet some people tend to get a lot more done than others. It is not because they work longer hours but work smarter. It all waters down to good time management. Working remotely can be extremely rewarding if done properly. You don’t have to commute daily and there are companies that allow you to set your own hours provided you’re accountable.
Working in an office setting presents a lot of distractions. In the book “Remote”, the author Jason Fried referred to the office as an “interruption factory”. Most people will find themselves staying longer, often unpaid because of the many distractions that come with an office setting.
Working remotely eliminates the office distractions but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re effective when it comes to time management. If you have a family, you might be distracted by your kids. You could also be tempted to do other things as you work which can interfere with your productivity. It is also easy to find yourself overworking since you don’t have to worry about getting home on time and your computer is always around. In order to manage your time effectively, there are some tips that could come in handy.
Setting your Hours
This is perhaps the most important element when it comes remote working. Whether you’re a freelancer or work with a company, there are designated hours when you’re supposed to work. There will always be the temptation of going online and working a little more before you call it a day. By setting the hours, you make sure that work doesn’t eat into your leisure or family time. This is also important if you’re working in different time zones with your colleagues or your company’s headquarter. The “always on” mentality can lead to a burn out pretty quickly.
Plan Your Day
You should have a routine to make things easier for you. Go to bed and wake up at the same time throughout the week. There have been numerous studies that suggest that having a plan for each and every day could increase productivity and engagement with work. Engagement is integral in being focused.
The brain functions well when it knows what ought to be done and at what time. Start by breaking down the complex tasks into smaller and manageable objectives. The hardest or high-priority items should be handled first before anything else. Having a plan in place will ensure that you don’t get distracted from your priorities. Planning is also important if you intend to switch work spots because it might take a little time before you fully adjust.
Set up your Work Space
A workspace is always going to be important whether you’re working in an office environment or working from home. You need to seclude an area in your house that is free from distractions. You can be tempted to put the office in the living room or the bedroom. You should only do so when you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to space.
Ideally, your workspace should completely be separated from your living space. It sets the tone and differentiates when it is time to work and when it is time for leisure and relaxation. Try to close the door in the inside when you’re working and from the outside when you’re not. Having a secluded workspace will save you a lot of time trying to look for a comfortable spot.
Take Breaks
Working from home can get really lonely. You might find yourself working more than 7 hours consecutively without taking real breaks in between. You don’t have colleagues that you could chat with. You can set time for coffee or a meal depending on the time you’re working.
It gets trickier if you’re working grave shifts when it is just you and the computer. Research has shown that those who work from home are 13% more productive than those who work in an office setting. This usually comes at a cost and is always in the form of burnout. It is encouraged to take numerous small breaks especially if you’re working for more than 7 hours a day. Remote workers tend to work for longer hours and don’t usually take a lot of sick days. The downtimes should be treated just like those of a normal office.
Communicate With your Friends and Family About the Working Hours
Some friends or family members may think you don’t have a real job since you’re always at home. You will need to explain to them that being at home doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do. It is just like any other normal job and the working hours need to be respected. You will also need to communicate the hours which they’re not welcomed and they should only drop by if it is an emergency.
Know What Wastes Your Time
A good technique of managing time is simply by knowing where it is wasted. You could be spending too much time on Facebook or you have difficulty in waking up in the morning. You should only do work-related things during office hours. If they are necessary things you need to do, you can allocate time outside the working hours so that you can sort it out. You should also know your time savers so that you can maximize efficiency, especially for repetitive tasks.
Have Work Flows and Procedures
Most remote companies have workflows and procedures for their workers. In any case, you can also come up with one that works for you. Most of the technical jobs have specific workflows. You can semi-automate the process so that you get things done faster. This does not only save time but helps in achieving a level of consistency by ensuring you’re not making any mistakes in your work.
Know When to stop
It is very easy to be carried away while you’re working from home. If you love your job, you might find yourself working more hours than you intended. You don’t always have to respond to that email even though you’re in different time zones with your colleagues. You need to clearly communicate the hours that you’re available so that you don’t always have to be in front of your computer. Make it a habit of switching off your work computer when you’re done for the day. You can also set an autoresponder so that you don’t get any emails when you’re not working.
Make Time to Socialize
Remote working can be depressing sometimes. It gets worse if you live alone and don’t have a lot of friends. You will find that your life revolves around your work. Be proactive with your social life. Go to concerts and join meetups for people in your industry. You can also travel since you’re working remotely.
Conclusion
Time management for remote work doesn’t have to be a daunting endeavor. You have control over how you work which can be liberating. Always prioritize your tasks and automate whenever possible. There should also be a clear demarcation between your personal life and your work.
