Working from home offers flexibility but also comes with challenges like staying focused and maintaining a work-life balance. I am have been working from home for over 2 years now and these are techniques that work for me. Here are 8 strategies for Time Management for Working From Home:
1. Establish a Routine
When working from home, you should set regular working hours. Stick to a consistent start and end time to maintain structure. Having a consistent morning ritual first thing in the morning will give you a very positive start to your day! I have a morning routine that I begin the day with to help me mentally prepare for work. To avoid getting sluggish, take regularly scheduled breaks and eat lunch.
2. Create a Dedicated Workspace
This one may seem like a no brainer, but I’ve seen home office set ups that were not ideal. Such as a breakfast nook where there were various piles of miscellaneous items thrown in with work documents. The space where you work needs to be specifically for work – and free from distractions. Make sure you have a proper set up -like an ergonomic chair, so you are not going to end up with pain in your neck, shoulders or wrists.
3. Prioritize Tasks
There are numerous tools and resources to help you prioritize. Use a good old fashioned to-do list or task management app (like Trello, Asana, or Notion). Time blocking is a great method for getting similar tasks done in a set specific timeframe. This is where you break up your day into dedicated chunks for specific tasks or activities, This is way more efficient than going back and forth all day long between two of the same tasks.
If you’ve never heard of the 80/20 rule before, you should definitely check it out! The 80/20 rule is about focusing on the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of results. This principle will help you immensely in determining the most important things in your life, what you should be actually giving your time to, and things you can let go of entirely.
4. Avoid Distractions
When you are working at your desk, turn off unnecessary notifications on your devices. These little beeps are like bugs to a light. If you have kids, housemates, or a significant other home during the time you are working, be sure to communicate boundaries- the times where you are working and cannot be disturbed. Noise-canceling headphones or ambient noise apps can also help to tune out barking dogs, traffic, or the lawnmower from your neighbors house.
5. Use Productivity Techniques
The Pomodoro Technique is one of my all time favorite Time Management Hacks. This is where you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This works great for projects where you can estimate the number of Poms it will take. You can rearrange the poms and move them around if needed. For example- I use poms when writing for this site. Let’s say I designate 16 poms for the week to write. I can look at my schedule and designate those poms in the morning or afternoon time frames. This is a way to measure your work as well. Another productivity tip I use is the two-minute rule. If a task takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately. This mainly applies to the time block when I am checking my email. Finally- the “Eat the Frog” method is also a way to ensure you are productive and will not procrastinate. This is where you START your day with the most challenging task first.
6. Leverage Technology
There’s many different types of tech geared towards time management. You can use calendar apps to schedule & set reminders on your phone or use full-blown task management apps—these tools can be lifesavers to keep your schedule clear and organized. You can get reminders of what’s next, so you don’t have to sweat about forgetting deadlines. Use collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for seamless communication.
7. Reflect & Self Care
Review your productivity weekly to identify what’s working or needs improvement. Be flexible in adapting to unforeseen changes. Prioritize physical activity, even brief stretches during the day. I get up early enough so I can exercise before I start working. Working out is part of my morning routine. Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated. Get adequate sleep to ensure peak performance.
One of the best ways to enhance productivity is to figure out when you’re at your best. Some people crank out great work bright and early, while others hit their stride later in the day. Pay attention to when your brain’s firing on all cylinders and plan your most demanding tasks around that time. This is opposite to the “Eat the Frog”, – everyone is different and so this may not work for you. I like to provide different options and approaches.
Summary- Time Management For Working From Home
There are a number of ways to help you manage your time when you work from home. Have a set morning routine and then follow a set schedule for the entire day. Have a dedicated workspace that is free from distractions, prioritize tasks and use productivity techniques like the pomodoro or two minute rule. Tech if used in the right way can be like your own personal assistant- with getting reminders and scheduling important meetings. Identifying your peak energy times can be best for working on your most intensive work. Finally, be flexible and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have a day that doesn’t go as planned.