How to Manage Your Time as a Remote Worker

Remote work has transformed our modern workplace.
We have more flexibility and save time by eliminating commutes.

In return, we face some unique challenges. Particularly about effective time management.

As remote workers, we need strategies to stay productive and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Because we can no longer fall back on the structure of that office environment.

I'll share four tips to help manage time.

Understanding when I do my most productive work was a game changer. Everyone has peak productivity periods. Once you recognise yours, you can significantly enhance your output. 

1. Identify your peak hours:

You probably know when you feel most alert and focused, when you achieve the best outcome for complex tasks, or when your creative ideas flow. Track your productivity over a week and match that with what your gut is telling you. 
For me, mornings are the best time to do deep work.

2. Schedule focus work:

Once you've identified your peak hours, schedule your most challenging tasks during these periods. 
For example, if you are most productive in the morning, reserve that time for writing reports or coding. And mark it in your calendar. Try to avoid your coworkers using this time for more than deep work.

3. Minimise distractions: 

Even in a remote context, there are plenty of distractions. Create a workspace that minimises these interruptions. Especially during your focus periods. Turn off notifications. Close unnecessary tabs.

4. Use productivity procedures if you need them: 

Do you get easily distracted? Is it hard to focus for a larger block of time? Try the Pomodoro Technique. Work in 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks to maintain concentration and allow your mind to wander off during that break. 

1. Create a designated workspace:

One where you can ignore household distractions, especially one where you can ignore work after business hours. It helps your brain know when it's time to work.

Don't have a dedicated room? Anything can work, as long as you can zone out of the household during work hours and work during leisure.

2. Set work hours:

Define your work hours and stick to them. Communicate these hours to your family to ensure that they respect your work time. Block out your free time in your professional calendar. Your colleagues will be grateful! It gives them clarity on when you’re available. 
After all, if your status on Teams or Slack is ‘away,’ are you at work?

3. Schedule your breaks: 

Even if it sounds easy, how many times have you forgotten to take a water break during the day or to have lunch away from your desk?
Breaks are necessary to allow your mind to relax. Making sure that you are more effective when you return to work.

Do you forget to grab a snack or a glass of water or go to lunch and take a walk? Just plan those moments in your calendar. It's easy for you; you just follow your schedule. It's clear and transparent for your colleagues. They won’t bother you during your break.

4. Disconnect after work:

Once your workday ends, say goodbye to your colleagues on whatever online platform you’re working together.
Try to disconnect from work-related communications and resist the urge to check your mail or messages after working hours. 

1. Be transparent:

Communicate your work hours, availability, and preferred communication channels. This sets expectations and helps avoid misunderstandings.

2. Think before you meet:

Schedule meetings during times that align with your peak productivity hours. Respect your team members' time zones, peak productivity, and work hours. 
Or perhaps you don’t need a meeting, so you can send an email? 

3. Use asynchronous communication:

I'm a strong believer in asynchronous communication.
Allow team members to respond at their convenience. Distributed teams across different time zones have no other option. So why not try this in your work context as well?

4. Establish response times as a fallback system:

If async communication feels too big, agree on response times for different types of communication.
Agree as a team on the different levels of urgency. And decide what response times are convenient.
Again, this clarity helps manage expectations, reduce stress, and build trust.

1. Set clear goals: 

Break down your work into smaller, manageable tasks with clear deadlines. And visualize these tasks in your calendar. 
This makes it easier to track progress, to stay on track and to celebrate your successes at the end of your day. 

2. Prioritize tasks: Eat the frog? 

Depending on your personality, you might want to start your day with that one task you dread. After all, it can only get easier afterwards, right?
Or perhaps you need some positive vibes before you can tackle that horrible thing in your planning? Then, start your day with some small and easy tasks to get that positive energy flowing.
Anything to avoid procrastination and frustration.

3. Take time for regular check-ins: 

To discuss progress, address roadblocks, and to have someone holding you accountable on your progress. Virtual coffees offer you a break and a way to bond with your remote team.

To conclude, managing time effectively as a remote worker requires self-awareness, discipline, and effective communication.
It all starts by finding your peak hours and communicating about it.

As a remote worker, you have the unique opportunity to manage your work around your life. If you can find your unique productivity hack. I hope these strategies help you thrive in your remote work environment.