Working remotely has become a mainstream employment option for many companies.
Today, about 3 in 4 US office workers are willing to leave their jobs in order to move to an organization that allows them to work remotely more frequently, even without a pay increase. According to a recent Softchoice Research Survey of about 1,000 full-time workers found that 74% of them were willing to make this move.
Busy schedules and to do lists can be overwhelming. New distractions can come from all directions, in all shapes and forms. While, it’s not possible to add more time to the work day, you can maximize your time to become more efficient as a remote worker.
Here are my top five tips to stay on task and get work done. According to the Job Network, none of these are difficult or revolutionary – they simply need to be practiced.
Make a List
Create a list so you can keep track of what you need to get done. This list should include tasks, meetings, and reminders. Different methods work for different people, but find something that works for you. For some people, a physical calendar/planner works best. For others, an online app like Google Calendar, Google Tasks, or Asana can be very helpful for keeping track of to do lists.
When writing down your tasks, be sure to include all of them, big or small. Stay on top of your emails and to do lists each day so you can keep on task. This way, you are less likely to let things slip through the cracks. Personally, I like to start my work day by going through my to do list, and then ending my day by reviewing my list and adding items for the next day.
Prioritize your tasks
When you have a large to do list, sometimes just looking at it can have you feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Going through and prioritizing your to do list can help you focus on the most importants tasks, as well as help you feel more efficient. You can divvy out the tasks you have over the course of the week and then focus on what tasks you have for each day rather than all that needs done that week. You can also color code your weekly and even your daily tasks into categories: Must Get Done, Should Get Done, and Could Get Done.
If you have a task you are dreading, try doing that task first thing in the morning. Having that task completed first will fuel you to carry out the rest of what’s on your list knowing the worst is behind you. It’s also important to get some quick and easy items completed off of your checklist early in the day. This will give you a feeling of accomplishment and give you momentum to continue working hard.
Minimize Distractions
Distractions can come in all shapes and sizes — from coworkers asking for your help or just wanting to socialize, text from friends with notifications from social media popping up on your phone. Sometimes, you even turn on the TV for some “background noise”.
According to a recent Porch survey of 1,001 workers, about 65% of remote workers say they spend time on personal tasks when they work from home. To truly maximize your time and effort, you must minimize your distractions. Whether you work at a desk or at a coffee shop, have your workspace set up with everything you need: laptop, charger, planner, paper, pens, snacks, water, etc.
Make sure that your workspace, aside from what you need, is clean and clear. Turn your phone face down or put it in your pocket so you’re not tempted to see your texts and notifications. You can even turn on the “do not disturb” function or put your phone on airplane mode.
Wake Up Early
Remote work offers the flexibility to determine when you want to start your day. Getting a jump start to your day can help you hit the ground running. I have found that when I start work early, I am much more focused and able to stay on tasks as I am usually less likely to be distracted and much less tired.
Have a routine
Probably the hardest aspect for remote workers is creating a self-directed routine. Having a routine in your day will help you use your time more efficiently as well as help you stay on top of your tasks. The routine that works for your coworker or your family member probably isn’t the same routine that will work for you.
Having a routine gives you a sense of control and helps you focus on your tasks rather than feeling overwhelmed. It can be very helpful to block your time, and to work on the same type of tasks around the same time each day. This will provide some consistency to keep you productive. For example, you can catch up on your emails around the same time each morning, schedule meetings for afternoon, etc. It’s important to give yourself uninterrupted blocks of time with limited distractions during your day.
It’s also important to allow yourself a few breaks throughout the day – whether it be a lunch with friends or 30 minutes to read – giving your brain a break will allow for more focused and purposeful work after it has rested.
Working remotely offers many benefits to both you and your company. It presents an opportunity for you to optimize your productivity based on your work habits. Becoming super productive and efficient doesn’t happen overnight, but these 5 tips can help you get there.
About the Author
Bethany Hyde is an executive assistant for Stone Door Group, a DevOps Solutions Integrator. She spends her waking day managing a host of corporate functions for our distributed global and remote workforce at Stone Door Group. To learn more about DevOps and Digital Transformation or to ask Beth for some tips on staying organized, drop us a line at letsdothis@stonedoorgroup.com.