Productivity and Personal Challenges
Productivity is 100 percent integral to your bottom line. One of the best ways to stay productive is to ensure that you maintain a healthy work / life balance. Sounds easy, I know, but it’s also way too easy to get caught up in your work. I’ve experienced it countless times — I start coding in the morning… and then it’s midnight. If you’re like me and you forget to take breaks during the day, find a tool and set a schedule that works for you. Clearing your mind and resting when necessary helps you deliver better work in the long run. And you don’t feel like you’ve been hit by a truck the next day.
Do you know how much your time is worth? Do you know how much your projects actually cost? If not, you should consider tracking your time. Want to know your daily habits? Great tools (like Harvest) are here to help you work smarter and I think they are really motivating as well, especially if you’re not great at scheduling your projects.
Staying on track with your projects also eliminates dreaded deadline stress. Discipline yourself as needed. Turn off or silence your phone when you need to concentrate on fine details, and get rid of phone, email (and news!) alerts if they become distracting. Use your laptop, tablet, or smartphone to remind you of meetings on the go.
While working, you will come across the most fascinating reads. Links you simply have to click, otherwise you’ll lose them forever. But wait — there are tools, like Pocket, that let you save these articles, stories or videos from any website or app.
People who are new to remote work will find solutions for themselves over time. Be kind with yourself and remember that you can always switch up your strategy. You have that flexibility in your work life now!
Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, but be on the lookout if you feel you are wasting time, procrastinating, or losing crucial ground on projects that you could speed up or automate using software tools. Don’t be afraid to invest in productivity helpers that will make you work better and faster — it’ll pay off in the end.
Overcoming Laziness and Procrastination
Laziness and procrastination are two of the biggest threats to your productivity — you must quell them both at all costs!
You should enjoy where you work, so make sure you choose a place that inspires you and speaks to who you are — but don’t over-clutter so much that you cause yourself stress or distraction.
If you find that you start avoiding your workspace (or wishing you were somewhere else altogether) you’ll undoubtedly lose track of your work — or you’ll stop enjoying it altogether. Ask yourself, “What is it about my space that’s hampering my productivity right now?” Eliminate whatever diminishes your success.
Try natural lighting to avoid drowsiness and sleep disorders. It’ll also help keep your energy levels steady. When choosing an office, ensure that it has a window or (at the very least) is close to one that does. It usually costs more, but it’s worth it.
If the worst comes to the worst and you’re stuck in a place devoid of natural light, invest in a light box that mimics outdoor light. It will cause chemical changes in your brain which lift your mood and there’s a great chance it’ll help you sleep like a baby at night.
Some people need a standing desk, which is one of my favorite inventions. Sitting is the new smoking — I’ve learnt it the hard way. At the age of 27 I found out that my spine looked like that of a 60-year-old, with degenerative changes. I was advised to stop sitting, quit jogging and do many simple but quite exhausting exercises every morning.
I also bought a ridiculously expensive standing desk. The good news is they are no longer so pricey — the one I upgraded to recently was actually pretty affordable. From what my back is telling me now (by not aching all the time), I can assure you that it was worth every penny.
Always remember that you can switch things up and leave your (home) office for an hour, or a day or two. For some creatives, shifting perspectives can bring incredible results.
Are your goals realistic?
We all want to accomplish as much as possible and as soon as possible. Nowadays things have become even more intense, we want (and need) to stay competitive, so sometimes we work twice as hard to prove our worth, and as a result, we force ourselves to do more than we’re capable of. There is nothing wrong about setting smaller goals. Break down your to-do list into smaller tasks, write down your concerns or draft the steps you need to take. Taking each task or project one detail at a time (and ignoring all other distractions) can be particularly helpful when you have a host of different projects and clients that need your attention. Baby steps. Once you’ve completed a task, you’ll feel satisfied and motivated to continue.
Remember: at the end of the day we’re just human beings.
We get confused if there’s too much on our plates — using notes and reminders is a superb way to enhance your productivity and ensure you don’t get lost in a sea of tasks.
A very important thing to consider is that you have the freedom to do what works for you. There is no one right or wrong answer as to what will work best in your remote work environment — contrary to the traditional office life.
It might sound funny, but check in with yourself on a regular basis. Be honest with yourself if you are experiencing laziness, procrastination, or if you’re struggling to stay productive. Is it where you work? Is it what you’re working on? Have you been neglecting your health and feeling burned out?
