Here's how you can manage your time as a UX professional working remotely or in distributed teams.

In other to properly manage time and as a User Experience professional that is working across multiple teams, setting boundaries between work hours and home hours (resting) is very important. It’s important to prioritize self care by having a work space that is not your bedroom. This has a way of stimulating the mind and giving it all the productiveness it’s needs when you’re working. When it is time for resting, the brain can rest properly because you’ve set a boundary between your work space and your resting place (bedroom).

To handle your time well as a UX professional in remote or distributed teams, try prioritizing tasks with a clear schedule, using collaborative tools for smooth communication, and setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Post-layoff, prioritize your well-being. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life, even if working remotely. Establish dedicated start and end times for your job search or freelance work, and communicate these to anyone who might need to reach you. Creating a separate workspace, physically distinct from your living areas, can further enhance this separation. This mental and physical switch allows you to focus during your job search and truly unwind during your off-time, fostering resilience and reducing stress.

Process-breaking bugs, and clear deficiencies in your project's interface always move to the top of the pile when considering UX tasks. If your interface is preventing work from being done or hiding important information, you have a serious problem. Secondly, work on issues that are causing confusion and frustration in your user base. Critical instructions, key facts, or important fields that get overlooked or cause users to give up, (or even worse, check the FAQs) need to be remedied as quickly as possible. Don't guess, schedule user interviews quickly! Finally, there's always room for improvement, so after the UX fires have been put out, take some time to validate your assumptions and test users on specific tasks, and watch how they do.

Job search, portfolio updates, networking – it can feel overwhelming! Post-layoff, prioritize ruthlessly. Start your day by identifying the tasks with the biggest impact on your job search. Utilize a framework like the Eisenhower Matrix, categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance. This helps you prioritize high-impact activities like interview prep or portfolio refinement, while delegating or eliminating less critical tasks. Remember, not everything demanding attention is equally important. By focusing on what truly matters, you maximize your time and effort during this crucial transition.

Feeling overwhelmed by the deep work concept? Start small! The Pomodoro Technique is your friend. Schedule focused 25-minute intervals for deep work tasks, separated by short breaks. These bite-sized chunks make deep work feel less daunting and can be a great way to train your concentration muscle for longer stretches over time.

Remote work grants flexibility, but scattered schedules can disrupt workflow. Embrace asynchronous communication! Utilize project management tools and documentation platforms to ensure teammates can access information and updates 24/7. This empowers you to tackle deep work during peak productivity hours, even if that falls outside traditional work schedules. Bonus Tip: Clearly outline core collaboration hours within your asynchronous communication to maintain a sense of team connection.

Over-Communicate, Don't Underestimate: When in doubt, communicate more! The physical distance of remote work can lead to missed cues. Employ clear and concise language in your communication, both written and verbal. Don't be afraid to over-communicate – it's better to be safe than sorry. Utilize emojis or visuals in written communication to add a touch of personality and avoid misunderstandings. By prioritizing clear and consistent communication, you foster a collaborative and efficient remote UX team environment.

Streamline UX feedback loops with the perfect tool. Consider utilizing online prototyping tools that allow for real-time feedback and annotation on wireframes or prototypes. This eliminates the need for lengthy email chains and ensures clear, efficient communication on design iterations within your remote UX team.

Regularly reviewing your progress is crucial for managing your time effectively as a UX professional working remotely or in distributed teams. Set aside time at the end of each day or week to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what challenges you faced, and what still needs to be done. This practice helps you stay on track with your goals, adjust your priorities as needed, and identify any areas where you may need additional support or resources. By consistently monitoring your progress, you can ensure you are using your time efficiently and making steady advancements in your projects.