Four Time Management Tips that Maximize Working Remotely

Do you want to maximize your employees' productivity when they are working remotely?  Even though many office managers and business owners never imagined having to make adjustments to have their staff work remotely, here we are.  Many of us have learned how to adapt to these times, but that doesn't mean that we all do it well.  Not being in the office affects everything from communication to schedule conflicts to distractions.  As a business consultant in Orlando, we have encouraged many of our clients to train their employees on proper practices for working from home during this time.  These are a few of our time management strategies that can help your employees maximize their time when working remotely.

Schedule Breaks

Allow yourself to take breaks, take walks, and take some time away from your desk during the work day.  Typically, this would happen when you are at the office, so be sure to give yourself this time when you are working remotely as well.  To be more intentional with your breaks, schedule them into your day.  Set timers to let yourself know when it's time to get back to work after a quick break.  This will hold you accountable and allow you to stay focused on timing for your breaks.

Plan Ahead Each Day

At the end of each work day, prepare for the next day.  Write down some tasks that you can start your day with, and list high-priority tasks so that you know what you need to focus on.  By planning your day, you will avoid starting each morning by mindlessly scrolling through new emails and searching for tasks.  Instead, you can get right to work.

Designate a Work Space

Avoid moving around too much during the day.  Some people work in their kitchens, others work in the living room.  Take the time to designate a particular work space that is most convenient and efficient for your work day.  When you keep all of your work belongings in one area, you won't need to scramble for certain supplies when you need them.  Instead, you'll have everything you need right there.

Communicate Effectively

Everyone dislikes phone calls that could have been emails. Don't be that guy.  Instead, be productive and effective with your communication.  If you can, email people or send them a direct chat.  When you need to set up a meeting, be sure to have an agenda outlined so that you stay on task and on topic.   Be sure not to waste too much time talking about unrelated topics that lead down the wrong path.  

By following these strategies, you will notice that your employees are spending more time working on tasks and less time being distracted when working remotely.  Encouraging our staff members to embrace the new normal will only help to make this transition much easier until we are all back to the office.  Contact our business consultant in Orlando for more assistance with your virtual business endeavors today.