3 Time Management Tips for Remote Workers
One of the things I enjoyed as an in-person worker before transitioning into the remote space is the discipline that comes with it. You don’t want to be sitting on the couch when you have a target to meet. Unlike being a remote worker, working becomes more flexible.
And as beautiful as that sounds it can be a woe in disguise. Because of the accountability structure of working remotely which is not as strong as that of working in-house efficiency level could drop and time management could be a big issue. Sometimes you don’t know till your remote work is affecting your relationships.
Just imagine having procrastination issues as a remote worker! That’s like the worst combination of all time, to get your efficiency level high as a remote worker, having a solid time management structure is the way forward and in this article, I will be working you through some time management tips that have worked for me.
1. Have a To-do List
This might sound so basic, but yes this is one of the best time management structures that I have found in recent times. I got this from Brian Tracy’s Bull’s Eye: Power of Focus. Do you know that it’s only about 3% of the average adults that writes down their goals, that should tell you why many people can’t track what they want to achieve.
One of the last things you should do before going to bed is to make your to-do list for the next day, I’ve done this and it has been a big improvement. You need to daily make your to-do list for the next day and allocate a deadline for the completion of each task.
Having your to-do list before going to bed helps you channel focus towards achieving your tasks. It gives your day meaning and the feeling that comes from fulfilling all the tasks in your to-do list can't be explained. Like, I feel fulfilled, like I just got myself a Rolls-Royce.
2. Work Only in Your Workspace
Just as your mind has been trained to brush your teeth consciously or unconsciously and you do it well every time. You can train your mind to catch up with your work routine if you can separate a space in your house that is only for work and what you do there is work.
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I can never get over how effectively this has improved my time management. If you want to manage your time separate a part of your house where social media is banned, the only approved thing to do is work. With this your focus will be heightened and your distractions will be reduced.
In case, you might not have space for such in your house, you can look out for public workspaces or cafes where you can have the work separation feeling.
3. Deal With Your Distractions
Social media has been one of my longest-standing distractions, I’m not a TV freak but I can spend hours on Instagram. To boost your work motivation, deal with distractions. When you deal with your distractions you’ll then notice the luxury of time you have at your disposal.
Your first step in dealing with your distraction is to acknowledge what takes your time. This will help you to devise means to overcome it. However noble it sounds, in as much as it’s not your task it might be a distraction.
For someone like me who loves to be on social media, while working I put my at a distance or lock social media apps away to be able to focus on my daily tasks.
If you get easily distracted by music, make sure that that is banned from your workspace, if television or iPads can get you easily distracted, ban them from your workspace. With this, you effectively do what is required of you within the allocated time.
After all is said and done…
Note that you owe yourself the responsibility of managing your time well. I tell myself, my time is ne of my biggest assets and I need to maximize it to the fullest. It starts with a mindset that understand the urgency of task completion, then to proper planning.
But it does not end at planning, the environment of your work must motivate you to work. Your workspace should always lure you too work mode and make sure to set it apart for work and work alone.
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Meet The Writer!
I'm Favour, a content writer, copywriter, and graphics designer with a passion for making brands shine. I help businesses and individuals create content and designs that convert. My goal? Make your brand awesome, one word/image at a time. When I'm not working, you can find me playing (bad) football, eating (too much), or watching football highlights (guilty pleasure!). Do you want to say something to me or do you want me to be of help? Connect with me via this link.
