Working from home has many perks. You can stay comfortably dressed and don’t need to put on your shoes. There is no commute. And, best of all, you can focus on your work in a quiet environment.
While the above seems too good to be true, those perks come with heavy responsibilities. Remote workers must use their best time management skills to stay on task. It can be difficult for some to ignore the at-home distractions, especially when your boss is not in your immediate vicinity.
To combat lower productivity and disorganization, we’ve gathered our best tips to increase your time management skills as a remote worker. In this article, you’ll learn how to make the most of every minute and beat work-from-home fatigue. You’ll gain insight on prioritizing your tasks and more.
Ready to jump right in? Continue reading for details.
1. Start thinking ahead
Good time management skills begin with planning. When you review your workload needs, you can determine the most important areas. Your first action of the day should be to make a to-do list. Once you have a general idea of what needs your attention, you can move on to the next step.
2. Prioritize your to-do list
After creating your list, you’ll want to reorder the items by priority. Are there particular tasks that block other things from being done? Do any of your assignments have a near-approaching deadline? Take some time to highlight the most critical elements.
From there, you can allot a specific schedule to work on each task. Your day will be in full swing, and you will be in conqueror mode, resulting in the ultimate productivity.
3. Eliminate distractions
The home has many distractions. Challenge yourself to ignore anything not in line with your daily work agenda. For example, switching to a dedicated workspace can aid with your project flow. Organizing physically and digitally will also help you stay on task.
If you’re tempted to turn on the TV, lock up the remote until you clock out. The same goes for placing non-work calls during business hours. Help yourself by eliminating these interferences.
4. Track your time
All being said and done, your plan isn’t much without accountability. Make sure to track your time. As you work on each piece, be aware of the hours you’ve used to complete it. Exceeding your expected time on some things means you’ll need to cut back on others. You may also have to reprioritize your to-do list before the end of the day.
No one likes a quiet quitter. Additionally, tracking your time has benefits. As a remote worker, your boss depends on your open communication about task management. They will not know the reality of your projects unless you tell them specifically how much time goes into each one. Being informed allows you to be in control. Your active assessment from tracking your time will impact you positively in the future.
5. Take your scheduled breaks
Taking scheduled breaks may seem counterintuitive; however, they are proven to keep your mind productive. You are not a machine. You must have food, water, and a pause from critical thinking throughout the day. Each break is a reset to keep you at your best. Just make sure to stick to the schedule. Fifteen minutes every few hours, with more time for lunch, is recommended by most employers.
6. Avoid multitasking
Nothing kills your productivity more than starting a bunch of things and not finishing any of them. It creates disorganization; plus, you’ll have nothing to show by the end of the day. Instead, vow to work on each task in full with your complete concentration. You’ll get more done this way.
Mastering your time management skills
Remote work has become increasingly popular over the years. With more and more companies allowing their employees to work from home, it’s important to develop strong time management skills to stay productive.
Remember, it’s all about planning, prioritizing, and eliminating distractions. As a remote worker, there are many job opportunities available. Don’t be afraid to take on the challenge and do your best!
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