#CoachingCuriosity - Setting boundaries & creatively using your time. How to work more effectively

I am currently working with my coaching clients on some methods to be productive while working or looking for work from home.

The main tips and themes that seem to come up in coaching include these main areas:

• Blocking your time creatively
• Setting boundaries
• Re-thinking & re-planning your commute time
• Managing call and meeting lengths
• Managing Procrastination 

Blocking your time creatively

- blocking time in your day/diary to protect periods and chunks of your day for thinking, planning and strategising, especially these days when others can see your diary online is important. It's OK to plan time in for thinking, churning through emails etc.

- for those who are out of work, this can be just as important. Time to apply for jobs, polish your linked in profile, reach out to create or talk to mentors can help massively

- The Pomodoro method (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique) is one of my preferred methods to work to and works for me. 25 mins work then a 5 minute reward

Setting boundaries 

- similar to blocking your diary with thinking time, think about communicating when you are going to be out and about. There is a lot more trust about these days and it’s OK to balance home life and your own needs in parallel to doing a great job for your employer. Communicating this early can help with that internal saboteur making yourself feel guilty about this subject

- if your work software allows you to set your status to busy or away, this is another good way to set boundaries

- think about how you connect with others. A video call out of the blue feels like an invasion for many, a text or message to allow people to prep for a call is often a good thing

Re-plan your previous commute time

I work with clients who used to come to London from Brighton and spend two hours a day getting to their desk. It’s a shorter commute now and I personally love that!  Some clients walk around the block before working remotely, its kick starts their day mentally. Find what works for you

- What can you do with the time you are banking from your previous commute? Morning exercise, set up what needs to be done with the family perhaps. In place of the evening commute, perhaps a walk and time to connect on the phone with family, friends on the phone, the option to meditate in the park or just sit and be with your thoughts

Manage meeting lengths & calls

- schedule meetings but see if you can be successful in a shorter time. Everything doesn’t have to be an hour. I have worked with clients like IKEA and businesses like Pixar who will achieve things in 10, 15 or 20 minute chunks

Procrastinating

- If you are like me, you can often ensure the beds made, dishwasher is emptied or loaded, a wash put on, that 4th cup of tea…..all before you have made that difficult call or done that "to do" item that drains your energy (expenses or banking anyone?)

If you would like coaching to help you be the best that you can be or you would like me to run a session with your staff, please drop message to set up a call to discuss.

Lee

Lee Hawkins

Lee Hawkins Coach // Mentor // Consult Ltd.

[email protected]

+44 (0)7876 885 345

www.leehawkinscoaching.com

www.dhirubhai.net/in/leeroberthawkins/