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Many people with remote work arrangements find it challenging to stay productive. The loss of structure, socialization, and continuity can be disorienting. Plus, it’s challenging to balance your daily work demands with your personal life.
Developing a better work-life balance isn’t impossible. You just need strategies for managing your time effectively. Every company has its tips — even jewelry companies like Keyzar Jewelry, which has over 20 remote full-time and FTE (full-time equivalent) employees.
Whether you’re working remotely daily or a few times per week, these proven tips can help you better manage your time during your work hours at home.
1. Set goals
Find time to set the weekly and daily goals you want to achieve. After all, you’re more likely to reach your goals if you jot them down. Setting goals also help break down one larger weekly goal into daily goals to make it more actionable. This increases your chances to complete your tasks without encountering undue stress and hardship.
2. Find a dedicated spot
Try to dedicate a place at home where you can work remotely and focus on your job. This space should be off your couch and out of bed to help free yourself from normal daily distractions.
For example, many parents need to be at home for their kids due to unforeseen events like school closures. A dedicated workspace is necessary to maintain focus on your job and keep you mentally detached from daily chores.
While you may face restrictions on where to work – be it in your bedroom, living room, or attic- you can always customize your environment to create a more productive workspace. Personalize your environment in ways that can help you stay focused and relaxed at the same time.
3. Remove distractions
It’s easy to get distracted when working from home, from the constant buzzing of your phone to watching a movie on Netflix. There is no shortage of distractions when working remotely. This is why securing a dedicated workspace is so important. But remove all potential distractions as well. Disabling your notifications can keep you from picking up your phone. And leaving your television off is always a good idea.
4. Get up early
One of the challenges of working remotely is getting up early because you know you won’t need to rush to the office. It can also be very tempting to press snooze on your alarm and continue to sleep.
However, getting up early can help if you find it challenging to stay productive. Early risers have more time to plan their daily tasks and focus on their priorities while the rest of the world still sleeps.
Research has shown that the brain is more alert in the morning, and it’s the best time for any analytical work. The earlier you rise, the more things you can get done with fewer distractions.
5. Take breaks
Taking breaks increases your productivity and supports your overall well-being.
Take the time to get fresh air. Or, if you have a pet, take them for a walk outside. Don’t beat yourself up for taking short breaks. It serves to make you more efficient with your work.
6. Use time management techniques
Losing track of time is common while doing remote work. So, it’s necessary to use time management techniques and monitor the time spent on specific tasks.
For example, the Pomodoro technique is an excellent tool to improve productivity by allowing yourself to alternate work and break periods. It works by dividing 30-minute intervals into 25-minutes of work and a 5-min break. This method encourages you to work with your time rather than against it.
7. Use habit stacking
You have other tasks to deal with when working remotely. For example, you might need to walk your dog, do laundry, wash the dishes, or cook food. So, to keep yourself on top of all these things, you can always multitask or use habit stacking when you can.
Some examples of habit stacking are meditating for a few minutes after starting the coffee maker or drinking a glass of water after turning off the morning alarm.
This technique works because you can get more things done in less time, which leads to a positive change in your everyday life.
8. Keep regular hours
While remote working gives you flexibility, keeping regular hours is necessary to set boundaries between your work and personal life. Maintaining regular hours can inform your employer and colleagues when you’re available to reach out. Additionally, it ensures that you don’t go beyond what you plan to give more time for yourself and home life.
9. Workout
While working remotely has many advantages, it’s not necessarily good for our bodies because it lessens our physical activity. Sitting for long hours may result in weight gain, sleep issues, anxiety, loneliness, and long-term health problems.
So incorporating physical exercises into your daily schedule can stimulate your endorphins moving, giving you an energy boost. Working out isn’t only great for your muscles – it also boosts your brain performance.
10. Socialize
Many remote workers stop socializing after they start working from home. This often leads to isolation, loneliness, and feeling of disconnection from the company and staff. While you may not be in the same building with your colleagues, you can always stay connected. Some fun ways to connect with your coworkers are hosting virtual happy hours or joining online yoga sessions. It’s great to be social and supportive with each other, even when working remotely.
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Wrapping Up
Remote work can certainly come with struggles. But, you can overcome this by creating a set schedule, managing your expectations, setting boundaries, and removing distractions. Follow these ten tips for staying productive while working remotely, and you might discover that you’re as effective in remote working as you are in the office. If you want to see what Keyzar Jewelry produce as a hybrid team – remote and in-office – visit this link.
