Greg Kratz* says a lot of the same time management problems we had when working from the office are still present when working from home and gives five tips to manage work time effectively.
Working remotely can provide employees with a newfound sense of freedom and flexibility, not just in how you work but also where you work.
However, many of the distractions you faced as an in-person worker can still crop up when you work at home.
One excellent way to sidestep those problems is to develop solid time management skills. Here are some tips to help!
Eliminate Distractions
While it may be impossible to completely avoid distractions no matter where you work, you can take a few steps to minimise them.
Set up your workspace in an area that will foster creativity and productivity while limiting interruptions.
Organise your equipment so the things you need will be close at hand right when you need them. And keep your workspace tidy and free of clutter.
Try to-do lists
Even if you’re not a natural list-maker, to-do lists can help you get organised and stay on top of tasks.
At the start of every day, create a list of your must-do tasks, as well as those that would be nice to complete and others that are more long-range.
Refer back to your list during the day, marking off items as they’re completed and making sure you’re on track to meet your priorities.
At the end of the day, review the list and set priorities for the next day.
By developing this habit, you will find you are able to focus on the right things at the right times.
Set deadlines and timelines
Deadlines can be a powerful tool to help you manage your time and stay on task.
So, as you set your to-do lists, include estimates of how long various items should take.
Then, with the larger goals in mind, consider the smaller steps you need to complete, and set specific deadlines for yourself for each of those tasks.
As you move through your workday, check back to make sure you’re not spending too long on any one step.
Play to your strengths
As you work on your list and set deadlines, consider the order of your tasks to help you stay on target and keep you motivated.
For example, if you’re an early riser and feel at your mental best as you start your day, consider tackling your hardest items first.
Conquering challenging tasks when you’re at your peak likely means you can accomplish them faster, leaving you more time for other tasks later in the day.
Conversely, if it takes you a while to get going in the morning, starting with your hardest task first may not inspire you the rest of the day or might drain your energy.
Consider starting with an easier activity or one that requires less mental energy.
Ticking off a less-intensive task as you start your day can help you perform even better as you tackle the next item.
Set work hours and stick to them
Figure out your core work hours and let everyone know what they are.
This allows for easy collaboration with remote team members. It also helps establish boundaries with friends and family members.
When they know you’re working between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., they’re less likely to ask you for a quick favour, request a long lunch, or even just pop by for a visit.
Once you’ve got your core hours set, don’t be afraid to block off chunks of time to do deep, focused work or for meetings.
These regularly scheduled times can help you manage your time by limiting when you can and can’t be disturbed.
Know your rabbit holes
We all have our rabbit holes—those things we click on for “just a minute.”
Save these items for a scheduled break or as a reward for finishing a difficult task.
Take breaks
Speaking of breaks, part of effective time management means knowing when to stop working for a while.
If you’re at your desk for extended periods of time, you may notice your attention waning and your productivity dropping.
Schedule time for breaks, and consider setting an alarm to remind you when you should take a walk around the block or do some stretching.
Take the time to clear your mind and recharge your batteries.
Don’t let time slip away
By implementing some of these techniques, you’ll master time management, leading to a more productive and efficient workday.
*Greg Kratz is a Contributing Writer at FlexJobs.
This article first appeared at flexjobs.com.
