You’re working remotely. How can you make sure you’re managing your time effectively?

Working remotely requires a careful strategy. The protocol also requires effective and effective communication mechanisms. Setting clear expectations in order to deal with changes or emergencies in a professional manner. One team spirit certainly helps in the progress and success of work.

A simple to do list with reviews built into the remote working strategy. Whether it's for your own business or the companies, I'm sure there are expectations and goals. Find out what they are and work towards that. Start with the end in mind and work back and then move forward with a strategic to do list. We live in a results orientated society and seeing the big picture and put the strategic building blocks in place that makes it work. At least this will give you something to measure.

When working remotely I always ensure I plan out my days meticulously. I write out the key tasks I will be working on, along with a time frame to hold myself accountable. I also ensure any focus time is blocked off in my calendar, not just meeting time. Lastly, I make sure I schedule in some time to move my body - this greatly increases my concentration and productivity.

Let's begin with clearly communicating availability. For example, set the tone for all communications by promising you will be available to respond to any message via the “so-and-so” channel within 24 hours. Follow-through is even more important. It shows you can effectively manage time by acting upon your promises. Start all new projects by setting up a time management task. If you fail to demonstrate availability, use this task to adjust expectations - e.g. extend to 48 hours.

Vous pouvez par exemple vous couper de toute distraction en activant un moment de concentration sur votre ordinateur ou bien mettre votre téléphone en mode hors ligne pour ne pas être dérangé.

More important than establishing a physical workspace is having a “mental” workspace. Nurture your mind workspace by exploring your deep-focus work time slot. This is the time of the day when you are most productive. For most people, it's the morning. But it doesn’t have to be. Maybe you can write uninterrupted at night by the fire. Or brainstorm new product ideas while walking. Reflect on it a bit, and you will intuitively come to the conclusion when you can give your best.

Designate a specific area in your home for work, separate from leisure spaces. This helps create a mental divide between work and personal life, boosting focus and productivity.

"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." - James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. If you don't establish (and stick with) a productive routine from Day 1, it will be difficult to meet your deadlines and achieve your goals. When working remotely, there is no boss 20 feet away to motivate you to be productive. Thus, you have to make productively working from home as habitual as productively working in the office.

Establishing a consistent morning routine is crucial for the transition effectively into "Work Mode" each morning. Incorporating activities like exercise, a good breakfast, and mindfulness practices can serve as mental cues. This routine not only sets a positive tone for the day but also helps ease into the work day. My favorite step in my morning "Work Mode" routine is getting a coffee or tea ready while my laptop starts up in the morning. It's the at-home version of the first things you'd do after your commute into the office.

The key to consistency is realism. It's easier to remain consistent in your routine if your goals are within reach. Stoic goals are admirable but often fall short over the long term because we forget that hedonism is a part of life, too. Yet, there is the dopamine trick. Dopamine is a cheeky trainer that makes hard goals easy as you go through them. Start small and train yourself to grow as you hit those goals. Just show up.

For effective remote work, discipline is key. Craft a daily routine aligned with your energy and commitments, consistent start and end times, with scheduled breaks and meals. This regimented approach prevents procrastination, ensures focus, and maintains a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize structure to harness the freedom remote work offers.

During lockdown, I retained the same routine as I have when I go into the office (with the exception of wearing shoes). I left my alarm set for the same time as I did when I had a commute and simply used the extra time to enjoy my coffee and exercise. I dressed completely (with the exception of shoes) and logged in at the same time (and tried to log out at the same time, which was a bigger challenge). Maintaining the same schedule helped me focus.

Stick to three rules: 1. The notifications diet: use your phone’s focus time to set up a working window. 1. Unexpected distractions: talking about Zoom updates, for example, when you fail to attend a meeting because your Zoom skipped to make an important update. 3. Failure management: Do a weekly checkup - you set a distraction-free time and yet you failed and got distracted. What came in the way? What was so important? Was it just a self-sabotaging habit?

Stick to a daily schedule that includes set times for work, breaks, meals, and exercise. Consistency helps maintain structure and balance, preventing work from bleeding into personal time.

Leverage technology to streamline tasks and communication. Tools like project management software, time-tracking apps, and virtual meeting platforms can help you stay organized and connected with your team.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question but I can help you come to the answer that fits your team. As long as you are clear about your strategy and process, tools come next. So, ensure you know where you are headed first. Then, search to find the right tools. Usually, it takes some trial and error to experiment with different tools until you discover the gamechanger. Tools I use: Slack, Trello, Jira, Canva.

Regularly assess your time management strategies and make adjustments as needed. Track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate your successes to maintain motivation.

There is a reason we work in sprints and do agile. Sprint methodology slices work into bite-sized pieces, dubbed sprints, serving up a focused way to tackle tasks and watch the clock. Once a sprint wraps up, the team huddles to review the wins and hiccups, turning each sprint into a mini-lesson in getting things right. This rhythm of review and refinement means snags are caught and cleared quickly, ensuring the project train stays on its tracks, making every moment count.

To manage time effectively while working remotely, I'd establish a daily routine, set specific work hours, prioritize tasks using tools like to-do lists or time-blocking, minimize distractions, take regular breaks, communicate availability to team members, and utilize productivity apps for tracking progress. Additionally, I'd periodically assess and adjust my workflow to optimize efficiency.

Prioritize self-care and set boundaries to avoid burnout. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and engage in hobbies or activities that help you recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.