4 Time Management Tips for Remote Jobs

4 Time Management Tips for Remote Jobs via Pexels 1. Keep track of deadlines When you work remotely, it is likely that you will be tasked with managing multiple assignments and deadlines at the same time. If you are freelancing, this could mean dealing with multiple different companies who work within different time frames. While it may seem like you can keep everything straight in your head, it is definitely a good idea to have a dedicated space to keep track of all your deadlines. Because different people manage their schedules in different ways, how you choose to keep track of your deadlines is mostly up to you. Some people prefer to keep track the old-fashioned way on a paper calendar while others have moved on to digital reminders. There can be many different places to record deadlines like Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendars, and using various apps on your phone. However you decide to keep track, make sure that you stick to one method, otherwise you run the risk of having to keep track of multiple calendars. It may also be a good idea to set reminders for yourself a couple days or a day before things are due, just in case it has slipped past you somehow. This is good practice so that you aren’t accidentally missing deadlines and turning things in late. 2. Make a priority list Alongside keeping track of multiple deadlines, you may be wondering how to manage your time when you have many tasks that need to be worked on. When you have so many things to do, the anxiety around getting them all done can be paralyzing. Where do you start? It is a good idea to get into the habit of making a priority list at the start of every day. This helps you get some clarity on what tasks need to be done urgently and what tasks can be reserved for later. When you have a clear priority, it is much easier to start working on it than trying to work on many different things at the same time. Often, our priorities are the things that are due the soonest, but you may want to base your priorities on what work is most important to you. 3. Have a dedicated workspace Because you work remotely, there are many different options for where and how you work. If you are lucky, try to set up a dedicated space for work. Because most people who work remotely also work from home, it can be very easy to allow yourself to become lazier as all your stuff is right there. You could lay on your bed and take a nap easily or turn on your favorite TV show. While these things may be tempting, they aren’t going to help you stay focused while trying to get work done. This is why it is such a crucial step to have a space that is dedicated to working rather than relaxing. It will help your brain switch to work mode rather than relaxation mode. If you don’t have anywhere in your house like this, you may want to consider working from somewhere outside your home. This could be a place like a coffee shop or a local library. 4. Vary up your tasks If you are working on a project that will take many long hours to complete, it is easy to get caught up in getting everything done at once. Be wary of this, though, because working intensely on one single thing can easily lead to burnout and boredom. While you are in control of your own schedule, you also need to make sure that you aren’t overdoing it. Just like in a normal job, you need to take breaks to eat and let your brain destress for a while. One way to make sure you aren’t going overboard is to make sure you are working on multiple tasks in one day. For example, let yourself work on a big project for only about two hours, then dedicate the rest of the day to smaller projects. This helps your brain utilize all of its skills which will make you feel less bored and tired by the end. Working remotely comes with a variety of benefits, but also with a lot of challenging tasks that some people don’t consider. Being able to manage your schedule effectively is something that is key to having a good working life.