Working remotely has its advantages and disadvantages. When done right, it provides great flexibility and incomparable benefits of work-life balance. However, to reap the benefits of working remotely, you must possess several skills, including time management.

While working remotely, you’re responsible for creating a structure or a routine that helps you get things done effectively and efficiently. This is necessary if you don’t want to mix your work with your leisure time. The goal isn’t just to get everything done on time, checking one task at a time. It’s to have a smooth and easy working rhythm so that you don’t feel drained at the end of the day. Here are five strategies that can help you manage your time more effectively.

Track your time.

To effectively manage your time, you must understand how you use it. Time tracking helps you know how long it takes to complete different tasks to allocate the right amount of time for each one of them. This allows you to budget your time for more critical activities in your day. Additionally, this strategy helps highlight your inefficiencies and distractions, so you can regularly improve your routine.

Block your distractions.

Distractions come in many shapes and forms. To truly succeed at time management, you have to build up your ability to focus and master your distractions. One simple tip is to put your phone away. Set a designated time to check your phone for notifications, emails, and messages.

Change your work setting.

When you always work from home, it’s quite easy for work to mix with your downtime, and without a clear cut-off, you might find yourself working longer hours than you would in the office. Try moving to a cafe or a co-working space, even for an afternoon. This can help create boundaries between work and rest.

Have buffers in between tasks.

Try to leave at least ten to fifteen minutes between tasks to prevent spillovers. It keeps you from rushing between items on your list, and it helps you work at a more relaxed pace. If a meeting takes longer than what you initially expected, you wouldn’t have to worry because you’ve already budgeted time for this. And if you finish something a little earlier than expected, then you’ve earned yourself a break!

Reward yourself.

Don’t forget to treat yourself. Small rewards after completing a certain task can be a great motivator. Taking minor breaks can make great rewards, or treating yourself with a cup of your favorite drink after that difficult work hump can be beneficial too. Doing this will not only make you feel good about yourself, but it’s also a great way to keep you moving toward your goal.

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