With many cities around the world on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees have been forced to work from home as offices are shutting their doors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For some employees, it has already been a month or more since this ordeal began.
The first week or two might have been a pleasant change of pace, but truly adapting to remote working can be difficult. especially for those of us who have spent years commuting to the office week after week. Managing time is extremely valuable for working remotely, where distractions abound. Here are several ways to effectively manage time and make the most out of your new workday routine.
Get into a new routine
Rather than commuting to work in the morning, you wake up and you are already at work. Establishing a routine can help you consistently set aside the time necessary to get things done. Set your alarm at the usual time and get in some extra exercise or recreation during the time you save on the commute. Try to start working at same time you usually do and remember to schedule in some breaks as to not overcompensate.
Said schedule need not be set in stone. In fact, working from home gives you a chance to be more flexible with your work hours. A daily schedule is simply there to help make sure you are dedicating time to work when it is tempting to do other things while at home.
Eliminate distractions
Take the necessary steps to ensure that you are focused when working from home. Turn off unnecessary electronics such as the TV and audio distractions. Try to create a personal office space where you can sit and get work done in peace.
Distractions don’t always come from electronics. A messy desk can clutter your workspace and create problems that could easily be avoided. Employing a structured setup for your desk helps with productivity.
Use an app
Technology has proven immensely useful in this time of crisis. The internet and all of our online systems have allowed businesses to operate even with the closure of many offices and factories. This same technology can help keep us on track while we work from home. There are a number of productivity apps that are geared toward helping you get things done. This is especially helpful for managing time while working without supervision.
These productivity apps are immensely helpful as they can provide platforms for us to organise all of our tasks and plan the order in which we need to get things done. You can also use an app to remind yourself to take a step back and relax for a brief moment.
Set goals
When you set goals, you have a target to work toward. Goals can be small, daily tasks or larger ideas requiring several steps. Whichever you pick, working toward a goal’s completion calls for careful planning, which requires you to figure out ways to manage your time.
