This guide outlines the best time management strategies you can implement when working from home, to save the work blurring into life.
More and more people are finding ways to either work full-time, or part-time from home in an attempt to better manage their passions, and money. Whether it is done to bring on some extra cash to a household, be present for children, or simply to kick off a home managed business, finding time to be effective can be a challenge.
This is especially true for those new to the practice, or are used to associating home as a place away from work to relax and unwind. Changing your mindset, and taking some steps to ensure and improve productivity and use effective time-management strategies and practices for working from home, is key to your success.
Time management strategies when WFH
Below we talk about a few simple ways to get started with time management strategies, or add to an already existing routine.
Have a work area away from your living area
This may be one of the most important time management strategies for a successful work at home environment. It is incredibly easy to be distracted by household chores, children, technology, or neighborhood going-ons. Even though you may love the idea of working from your front porch, you need to ask yourself if you have the focus to do so and stay efficient in your work completion. Most people find that an area that is set aside specifically for work helps keep them on task.
Start with a to-do list each day
Staying organized to help you see past distracting home responsibilities is also an important factor among the time management strategies. Organization in general is important for you to help meet your goals and to help get you back on track in the event you are interrupted. A to-do list is an important step to help you organize priorities and allow you to visualize your progress. Be sure to make them in order of importance. You can always change them as you need them.
Keep a schedule
Keep a consistent, daily schedule to follow in a manner that is similar to heading into the office each morning. Those are your set working hours and should not be interrupted to help keep you on-track with time management strategies. You also should minimize multitasking during these hours. Of course with being at home this is inevitable from time to time, but if you are aware and minimize them purposely, you will get much more done. Feel free to figure out what times are most productive for you.
It is also helpful to provide weekly or monthly schedules in a manner that is easy to view or access. Make sure to mark down deadlines and any other schedule seperate from work- such as doctors appointments or other responsibilities so you can look ahead to manage your time.
Use helpful aids and products for efficiency
No matter what your WFH job entails, there are ways to help make you more efficient with time management strategies.Technology, such as computers, video aids and time tracking software; tools for crafting and building; sources to buy content online; or machines to minimize time, such as quilting arms.
Don’t disregard even the smallest of aids that may make your life easier, such as headphones, specialized writing tools, or even things like yarn winders for sewing, knitting, and crocheting if you are in the artisan retail sector. Read more about that here.
Don’t procrastinate
Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today! Even though you may not be feeling the whole heading into your ‘office space’ one day- and feel like putting things off for a few hours, chances are you are setting yourself up for a non-productive day. Think of it this way, you can at least walk into your office in pajamas and a cup of coffee if you want, but keep your work schedule. Once you get started it is much easier to continue and find a time management pace you are comfortable with for the day’s work.
Separate personal tasks from work tasks
As mentioned earlier, don’t multitask unless absolutely necessary for the optimum time management strategies. It is going to happen from time to time, especially if you have children at home for any amount of time, but avoid household chores or yard work, social media, personal emailing, or anything else not related to the job at hand.
Take scheduled breaks
Do keep scheduled breaks, such as a walk or lunch to allow yourself to stretch and refresh yourself. There is nothing wrong in becoming immersed in your work, but if working remotely, you are expected to do so, and if you make your own hours and time management, it is equally important for mental and physical health.
Conclusion
Always do what works best for you to help point you on a path towards productivity and optimum time management strategies. The above suggestions are all great to apply to your day to day work practices, but may vary depending on your own needs and preferences. What is important is to consider your work space, physical organization, as well as your time management since focus and distractions are often the biggest problems with working from home.
