If you're hitting a rut, try doing a mindless chore. This trick technically works in an office environment as well, but it's particularly easy to pull off for remote workers. If you're having trouble solving a problem or brainstorming for ideas, take up a simple household task that doesn't take much brain power. Studies have shown that people's creativity and problem-solving abilities are enhanced by switching to undemanding tasks. They allow your mind to wander and will help you expand your thought abilities.
As a remote worker, I always try to be maximum productive since it is not about spending 9-5 in the office anymore, and I have to complete specific tasks within a specific time. To maintain my productivity, I set fake deadlines for myself that would be earlier than the actual deadlines. When I target to complete the given tasks earlier than the provided timeframes, it helps to avoid procrastination and keeps me motivated. In addition, if I am unable to finish the work in the targeted time, there will be extra time to complete the work, eliminating the risk of burnout.
A favorite productivity hack that, as a remote worker/co-worker, I believe is extremely important for everyone to implement in their work habits is to set alarm reminders throughout the work day. This can be extremally helpful for meeting reminders, phone call reminders, and delegating time to certain projects throughout the day. Many remote employees will tend to get sidetracked or use too much time from the work day working only on one project when there are others tasks or things to do at hand. Whether it be on your phone, clock, computer, or any device capable of setting alarms, every remote employee should be setting alarm reminders throughout their work day to be as productive, time saving, and efficient as possible.
Don't underestimate the efficiency of quick 1 on 1 video chats. As a remote coworker, it's easy to feel disconnected and isolated on projects. I like to schedule quick check-ins with team members to make sure everyone is on track with their tasks and there are no roadblocks. This keeps us connected while ensuring that we're staying productive and efficient.
Working from home, a lot of us don’t have the same productivity boosting environment that we would have in the office. It can be difficult to stay focused, especially when you have a family and pets that can easily distract you. The best way to stay productive as a remote worker is to find ways to block out distractions. Using software like StayFocusd can keep you from being distracted by your favorite websites. It can be difficult to stay productive as a remote worker, but finding ways to block out distractions is the first step to being your most productive self.
When we work remotely we don't have same level predictably and welcome co-worker interactions. These interactions, for example when we first get to the office or when it's lunch time, give us a few moments to reset and connect without taking away from our productivity. Creating similar "office breaks" while working remote is a handy hack to supercharge productivity and manage changes in tasks. Walking out of your work area, doing a short dance, going outside, all these things are easy to do and give us the time to quickly reset and recharge.
My favorite productivity hack as a remote worker is pausing notifications and setting myself unavailable during off hours to avoid the temptation to be "always on". This helps me to focus on my work during the day and to relax and recharge during my off hours. By taking the time to pause notifications and set myself as unavailable, I am able to create a more productive and balanced work-life. It also helps me to avoid the temptation to be always checking emails and responding to messages, which can be distracting and can lead to burnout. This productivity hack has been essential for me in managing my work-life balance and being productive as a remote worker.
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One of the tips I would definitely share with others is to have "Productivity Playlists", which there is an abundance of on platforms such as Spotify or YouTube. Personally, I enjoy Lofi while I'm working, as the lack of lyrics and soothing melodies helps me focus on what I am doing. Also, sitting in silence can result in distractions, as I'm more likely to look at my phone or start doing something else, rather than work from home. Playlists as such help me stay on track.
Obvious as it may seem, a dedicated workspace is one key to being productive as a remote worker. I've spoken with hundreds of remote workers over the years who struggle with productivity solved by creating a dedicated workspace. Our physical environment impacts how we show-up in more ways that we realize. Think about the difference in energy and mindset when you're sitting at the kitchen table on your laptop versus when you're working at a desk in a designated space in your home. A dedicated workspace, in addition to being more efficient with everything you need in one place, reminds you that you're a professional and can put you in a more focused mindset to get down to work. Additionally, it creates a healthy boundary between "work and life" so that your work doesn't spill out to other rooms in your home. This may be tough in small spaces but it's an opportunity to get creative. I had a client who found a desk on wheels that got stowed away in a closet when she wasn't working!
At Let's Talk Talent many of our team have adopted walking meetings into our weekly 1-2-1s. This gives us regular time that we can get up from the desk, move. And not be tied to screen sharing, or tempted to answer emails, or browse the internet in meetings. Scheduling it mid morning, or mid afternoon also means that we get a break from the screen when we need it most, and can move things on in the business. It's highly recommended for connection and exercise both things that can easily be lost in a remote first business and workforce.
The Pomodoro Method is a great remote work productivity hack for those who are looking to stay on task and get more done when working remotely. It is a time management technique that works by breaking up work into 25-minute intervals with five-minute breaks in between. For example, if you are working on a project from home, you might set a timer for 25 minutes and work on the project until the timer goes off. Then, take a five-minute break to do something unrelated, like take a walk, before starting the 25-minute interval again. This helps you stay focused, as the timer keeps you from getting overwhelmed and it also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you can see the progress you are making in small increments.
Working in a public virtual workspace has been my favorite productivity hack as a remote coworker. It acts as an accountability tool to stay on track, and I'm able to easily work with colleagues from around the world without having to struggle with video call issues. Working like this helps me prioritize tasks and keep a positive attitude toward my work, allowing for mindful breaks throughout the day. Working in public virtual rooms gives me the structure and support of an office setting from home, helping me stay productive despite myriad distractions.
One of my favorite productivity hacks as a remote worker is to set realistic goals. It's important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day and not set yourself up for failure by trying to do too much. There are a few things to keep in mind when setting goals. First, make sure they’re achievable. Take into account your available time. And also make them relevant to what you’re trying to achieve. By setting realistic goals and breaking down work into smaller tasks, you're more likely to stay productive and achieve your objectives.
Calendly is a scheduling tool that allows me to easily schedule and manage meetings and appointments. It can be especially useful for remote workers, as it allows users to send a link to their Calendly calendar and let others schedule appointments with them directly. This can help to save time and reduce the need for back-and-forth email communication. Otter.ai is a transcription tool that allows me to automatically transcribe meetings and conversations in real-time. This can be useful for remote workers who may not be able to attend meetings in person, as it allows them to stay up-to-date on discussions and decisions. It can also be useful for creating written records of meetings, which can be helpful for reference and follow-up.
I'm a big fan of the 1-3-5 rule for managing day-to-day tasks. I've found that it's really helpful to think about your day as having three different buckets: - A large bucket, which contains the biggest and most important task you have to complete. - A medium bucket, which is filled with three smaller and medium-importance tasks that need to be done by a certain time. - And a small bucket, which is filled with the five least important tasks that can be completed later on in the day. The trick is to look at your smallest task as an opportunity to delegate to other people so that you can focus on the most important and medium importance tasks in the day. This helps keep things in perspective of priority and helps you organize your day in a way that will allow for more productivity, less stress and a better sense of accomplishment.
I know it may sound a bit archaic to some, but I wouldn’t trade my office whiteboard for anything. It gives me a visual representation of everything that’s going on, and I update it daily. Having pressing projects right in front of me really helps me stay on task so that our remote team functions optimally at all times.
As a remote coworker, one of my favourite productivity hacks is to never run out of coffee. With no colleagues around to grab me a cup when I’m running low, it’s important that I stay stocked up on my preferred blend. To ensure I don’t find myself with an empty pot, I like to buy in bulk or subscribe to monthly shipments. Not only does this provide the fuel I need to stay productive from home, but it also means a tasty treat is always just a step away!
Leveraging "Pomodoro Technique" can be a great productivity hack as a remote coworker. It is a simple yet effective way to break your work into more manageable chunks. Using this technique, you can focus more intently on the task at hand without being distracted by other tasks that may arise during the day. Basically, when using this technique, you would work on a task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break before beginning a new task. This helps to break up the day and keep your focus in check, allowing you to get more done during the day. Also, the breaks boost morale, allowing you to step away from work and do something else. This not only makes the work day more enjoyable, but it also helps to keep you motivated and productive.
As a remote co-founder of Midss, I am going to share with you one of my favorite productivity tricks is to break down your tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. This allows you to focus on one thing at a time and avoid getting overwhelmed by the workload. Additionally, I like to set deadlines for each chunk of work so that I can stay motivated and accountable. Having a plan helps me stay organized and ensures that all priorities are met in a timely manner.
Block out your time for deep work first Working remotely, it can be easy to get wrapped up in video calls and meetings, but dedicating some time for deep work is essential to staying productive. I try to block off a few hours each day for uninterrupted focus on priority tasks that require my full attention. This helps me stay focused without distractions and ensures that I'm making progress on important projects.