Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, remote work has become more common than ever. While people initially feared that working remotely would make people less productive, employers and employees have found this is generally not true. Many employees are even resistant to the idea of going back to the office.
A person’s success as a remote worker often depends on their time management skills. Without proper schedules, habits, and expectations, remote work can lead to increased distractions and slower work. However, when done correctly, working remotely can actually be more efficient, giving you more time to do your job and do the things you love.
Take Advantage of Remote Work
One key to managing your time as a remote worker is to focus on the advantages of remote work. When people first started to work remotely at the start of the pandemic, many people suggested that the best way to do it was to pretend you were going to an office every day. This can help create a sense of stability and routine for some people. But it can also make you miss out on the advantages that remote working offers.
Remote work can offer significant benefits, such as not commuting to an office (sometimes saving multiple hours a day) and increased schedule flexibility. It also provides advantages like flexibility in your work environment, the ability to spend more time with family, and decreased pressure to maintain certain appearances. If pretending you’re in the office doesn’t always work out for you, try focusing on the realities of remote work and how you can use this circumstance to your advantage.
Adapt Your Strategies to Fit You
There is no one way to work. Many time management articles and tips will lead you to believe that there are strategies that will work for every person, but this is not the case. Most of the time, there is an element of trial and error in finding the time management strategies that work for you. Some people thrive with a strict routine of working hours, whereas others may benefit from a more flexible schedule. Some work in long stretches, while others work in shorter bursts.
In order to determine time management strategies that will work for you, think about the way you work right now. What times of day do you work best? What work environments enhance your productivity? What are the biggest time management problems you encounter every day? Once you have an idea of your situation, you can address the specific issues you’re facing using strategies that fit your concerns and your working style.
Try Out Time Management Apps
When the physical work environment is not present, it can be helpful to have some digital elements that structure our thoughts and ways of working. If you struggle to stay focused, you may like to use an app like Forest, which simulates planting trees to motivate longer focus. If you constantly find yourself double booking or forgetting plans, try using Google Calendar. If you feel like you always have too many things to keep track of at once, an all-in-one planning app like Notion may be the solution for you.
There are an overwhelming number of time management apps out there, so we recommend doing some research before you choose. It can also help to think about the areas of time management in which you need the most help and choose apps tailored to fit those goals. Finally, be patient. It will take some time to find tools that work for you, and often tools will become more useful when you stick with them over time.
Be Realistic
Our society often gives us high expectations when it comes to time management. We believe that if we just adopt the right strategies, we can snap our fingers and finally create the perfect life we’ve always dreamed of. But time management, just like any skill, is learned gradually. If you try to make too many changes too quickly, you may find yourself burning out and losing all your progress.
For maximum impact, try focusing on one time management habit at a time. If you’re struggling to keep all your plans in order, focus on finding a strategy for that. Once you feel more comfortable with planning, you can move on to developing better focus or any other time management issues you’re dealing with. And most importantly, give yourself some slack when you mess up. You will inevitably make mistakes, but this doesn’t mean you’re not improving.
Make Time for You
Remember, at the end of the day, that you are a human being. No matter what you do to your schedule, it’s impossible to be a super productive work machine forever. While you may have to focus intensely on work at times, over the long-term, it’s helpful to work on building a routine that strikes a balance between work done and relaxation.
When you create a routine and habits that maximize your overall health and wellbeing, you’ll often find that it actually improves your productivity. This is one of the keys to working smarter, not harder. When our bodies and brains are healthy, they can generally work more efficiently, leaving us more time for our goals and what we love to do.
About the author:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
