The lack of time as a common issue can be attributed to many modern problems people come across in their lives. Busy schedules and hectic lives we all lead are made with little care to our overall well-being and amount of happiness we have. If nothing is done about it, stress builds up and we are capable of doing less and less with our time despite eventually finding it.
The right work-life balance cannot exist without healthy habits, and healthy habits that benefit somebody’s life cannot exist without proper time management. This is exactly what we are talking about here, time management skills that can help anyone become a better version of themselves. More closely, we will discuss the best time management tips and tricks for remote teams, workers who do their job away from their office.
Working from home has its fair share of benefits and positives, but it is also quite difficult due to distractions and the usual things that need to be done around the house. Finding the right balance and creating a schedule that works for you will allow you to never again struggle with meeting deadlines and staying optimally efficient. Read on to learn about the tips and tricks and be sure to click here for more information.
1. To-Do List
It may sound simple and as a cliché, but things that work usually are. The first step in time management is making a list of the things you need to do in order to complete your work-related obligations, as well as your private ones. You can do it a day in advance, a few days in advance, or plan out the whole week.
It may even be enough to do it the evening before. Big projects should be taken care of first and the ones that are the closest to their deadlines are always a priority. Make sure to add in breaks and lunch time, as well as a time of day when you will rewind and recharge.
2. Making Shifts
Shifts are a standard model of being employed all over the world. The first shift is in the morning, the second is in the afternoon, and the third is the night shift. When you are at home, you usually get to work whenever you want as soon as you finish everything in a timely manner. This is a double-edged sword however as it allows for procrastination and distractions.
By making shifts for yourself, you will behave as if you are not away from your main office. As a remote team, you do not have to work at the same time as your colleagues far away. You can even make two shifts and do one portion of the work in the morning and the other in the evening.
3. Multi-Tasking Does Not Always Work
Although it may seem like a thing that is always good, doing multiple things at once is always the answer. It may save time but your attention span and focus will be divided. Refocusing takes as long as 15 minutes when switching between tasks. It is more beneficial and more optimal to finish one project first and then move to the next.
As a team, you will be finished quicker if it is all hands on deck on the same project. Splitting the team on two projects means half of you will be doing different things. The time needed for completion will be similar, but precision and attention to detail will be lacking.
4. Find Your Productivity Window
We are all different which means that the time of day when we are the most productive is also different. When you can choose your own schedule or allow the remote team to choose when they work, picking the right time of day when you are usually at your peak is very important. Some people thrive in the morning, some are willing to do most of the work at night.
Others cannot function on an empty stomach, while there are people who first have to release some energy and work out before sitting down and working. Change things up a bit and find when you are the most productive. You, your team, and the whole operation will benefit from it.
5. Act Like It Is the Office
If the remote team acts like they are in an office despite being home, they will also work like they are there and never be distracted. You do not have a bed in your office, nor do you eat or drink when you work there. Do the same at home. Get yourself a dedicated working area like a desk or a separate room and do not do anything else there.
That will be your little working area, a completely different thing than a comfort zone when you relax. They are polar opposites and you will need both of them to remain productive as a remote worker. There is a reason why home offices exist and it is not just for your home to have an extra room!
6. Plug Out
You will need the computer to do your job, but that is not what we mean. By plugging out we mean removing digital distractions like social media, steaming platforms, and any other form of modern entertainment that your home is probably rich in.
You are not really going to use your smart mobile device in the office to browse through Instagram or Facebook, so why do it at home while working? Leave these things for your break. You need to take a short break of around 10 minutes for every hour you are sitting anyway.
7. Eat Well
One of the best benefits remote workers have is the fact that they have access to their kitchens non-stop. They do not have to rely on fast food and other unhealthy, processed options because they lack the time to cook when they want to or prep meals in advance. You are a few rooms away so plan accordingly and allow yourself a healthy diet while working. You will feel better, happier, and work easier!