Thanks to advancements in cloud technology, workforce mobility is now more than just a trend; it’s the new norm in the business world where global connectivity has opened up countless new opportunities for employers and employees alike. But not everyone is ready for such a dramatic departure from the ways of old. A common fear remains that working from home or on the move will result in reduced productivity and constant temptations to procrastinate. Other remote workers have difficulty adapting their work-life balance to the new way of working.
Here are five ways to manage your time more effectively:
#1. Establish a schedule that suits you
An often-proclaimed benefit of working remotely is that it affords a much better work-life balance and sadly, this isn’t always the case. One of the more common remote-officing misconceptions is that you can work without a schedule, picking and choosing the times to work without any restrictions. This fluid work schedule ends up blurring the line between work and downtime until you reach a point where you either feel like you’re working all the time or not getting much done. Remote workers need a regular schedule that suits their lifestyle.
#2. Have designated areas for work and downtime
A flexible schedule isn’t the only reason some remote workers aren’t finding the optimal work-life balance; the actual place you work is also important. Working from home, particularly if you have young children, can result in lost productivity or work interfering with your personal life. At the very least, you’ll want a designated home office where you can close the door during working hours to avoid disturbances. Better still, consider a coworking space where you can clearly distinguish between work and downtime.
#3. Use the right apps, but don’t use too many
Many of us are using far more apps than we need. The so-called software bloat is a serious problem when it comes to productivity, especially when it involves juggling between features you need and those that just cause distraction. Notification fatigue, when apps constantly fight for attention with automated notifications, is another notorious productivity killer. Keep distractions to a minimum by getting rid of unnecessary apps on the devices you use for work, and block notifications that aren’t necessary.
#4. Identify and eliminate daily time wasters
Excessive mobile push notifications, social media, and even email are all potential productivity killers that you’re probably better off without. While most distractions and time-wasters are of a digital nature these days, there might be other temptations to procrastinate, particularly when working from the comfort of home. It’s important to eliminate these daily time-wasters from your working hours and environment to prevent work and personal life from overlapping too much.
#5. Set realistic activity goals
Setting goals is important for any career-driven individual or entrepreneur, but it’s also one of the things most of us get wrong. Some people set goals over which they have little or no direct control, such as the number of new clients they want to find in a given month, or how much they want to earn. Others set goals that are simply too lofty to achieve. Instead, try setting modest activity goals and incrementally increasing them in line with your professional growth and capabilities. Setting realistic goals will reduce the chances of disappointment while helping you maintain focus on the task at hand. It also discourages multitasking, which, contrary to popular belief, is one of the biggest barriers to improved productivity of all.
Summit Advisors offers proactive IT solutions that enable businesses to accommodate remote workforces and scale with ease. Call us today to schedule your free assessment.
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