Approximately two-thirds of people around the globe work remotely at least one time per week. Additionally, an estimated 53 percent of the global workforce works remotely for at least half of the week.
It’s clear that remote and home-based workers are expanding, and this is starting to become the new “norm” for the global workforce. While there are more than a few benefits offered by working remotely from home, there are also some potential drawbacks.
One of the most significant issues for many home-based workers is time management. Distractions can cause many workers productivity levels to drop, resulting in negative consequences.
The good news is, there are several time management habits home-based workers can implement to help them stay on task. Keep reading to find out what these are.
Finish the Most Important Tasks First
When it comes to time management, this is considered the golden rule. Every day you need to identify the two or three tasks that are absolutely essential to complete. Once known, make sure they are handled first.
After you are done with these, the day can already be counted as a success. You can then move on to other activities, or let them wait until tomorrow; after all, you have already finished the most critical tasks.
Create a Designated Area for Work
Regardless of if you are looking for new luxury homes for sale or plan to turn a space in your existing home into an office, you need to ensure there is a designated location for you to handle the work you need to do.
If you work from random areas in your home, such as the dining room table, bedroom, or even living room, things may become quite disorganized, leaving you even more distracted. It’s essential to find a place where you can create a work environment.
By doing this, you can limit distractions, increase productivity, and make the most of your time.
Set a Timer
If you have a lot to accomplish, but you don’t have a full eight hours to dedicated to these tasks, efficiency is vital. Before you even get started, be sure to calculate the amount of time each task is going to take.
When you start a task, set an actual timer, but don’t focus on the clock. For most people, there is something about having a timer counting down that can inspire you to work faster and harder.
Learn How to Say “No”
If you make a lot of time commitments, it may teach you how to juggle various engagements and better manage your time. This is often a good thing.
However, this may also go too far. At some point, you have to learn how to say “no” and decline opportunities. It’s important only to take on projects that you know you have time to complete.
Work When You Feel Most Productive
It’s important to determine what time of the day you have that burst of energy. For some, this is early in the morning. For others, it could be after lunch, or even late at night.
It’s a good idea to schedule the most important activities you need to do during those times.
Give Yourself Small Rewards
A great way to reward yourself when working at home is to get up and take a short walk in between tasks. This can include going to the kitchen to get a snack, walking outside for a few minutes, or anything else.
Pick something you can do that won’t be too distracting or that will throw off your work groove, but that’s also a bit rewarding. Be creative; after all, you know the types of activities you look forward to.
Get At Least Seven to Eight Hours of Sleep
Some people believe that sacrificing sleep is a great way to hack productivity and get a few extra work hours each day. This isn’t the case.
The majority of people require seven to eight hours of sleep for their minds and bodies to achieve optimum performance and function. You can tell if you are getting enough sleep – listen to your body.
Use Productivity Apps
If you are like most people, your smartphone is always at your side. It’s a good idea to use these devices to record all your deadlines, appointments, responsibilities, and more.
There are other apps that you can use to help you with time management, productivity, and organization, too. Try implementing some of these into your work environment to achieve even more productivity.
Avoid the Temptation of the TV
When you are working from home, it’s a general rule to avoid turning on the TV. While you can begin your day by watching the news or morning show, after that, the television should be turned off.
If you are splitting your attention, then it’s going to be much more challenging to get work done. If you want some background noise, try music.
Managing Your Time When Working Remotely from Home
As you can see, there are several steps you can take to help ensure that you make the most of your time when working remotely from home. Be sure to implement these tips and think of other methods that work for you and your work style.
If you are looking for more information about working from home, or work in general, be sure to visit our blog. For example, we have top tips for entrepreneurs.
