DEVELOPMENT
How to create a productive routine when working remotely
Now that you are working remotely you can adjust your normal morning routine to maximise your productivity , says Steuart Snooks
Create a great morning routine You no longer need to hurry to the train or get caught up in peak-hour traffic so it ’ s important to not waste your mornings just because there ’ s no longer the time needed to get ready and travel to your workplace . Awaken at the same time and use your new-found extra time for activities like exercise , meditation , eating a good breakfast , planning etc and schedule a fixed time you ’ ll start to do your work activities . And that ’ s when to check email for the first time — not over breakfast or in the toilet or while still in bed .
Plan your day Write up a master task or to-do list and identify the 3 most important tasks you need to achieve for the day and then block time for these into your calendar . Choose times for these when you have your highest levels of mental energy , focus and alertness — you should aim to use your highest energy for your highest payoff tasks . Most of us are at our best in the morning , either very early , mid-morning or late morning . It ’ s easier to talk than to think so , generally speaking , aim to do the difficult , complex , problem-solving , conflict-resolving , creative , bigger picture and revenue generating tasks in the morning and leave the routine , mundane , administrative and communication tasks for the afternoon .
Set deadlines for yourself Parkinson ’ s Law states that a task expands to meet the time available . A limited timeframe provides focus and motivation to get a task done . As entrepreneur Timothy Ferriss writes , “ reduce time to increase focus .” The motivation for getting stuff done is stronger at work where you ’ re surrounded by colleagues and managers who are also working on their tasks and interacting with you . When working remotely , it can be a lot harder to maintain the same level of concentration as there are more distractions and temptations at home and less external accountability . To stay focussed you need to set your own deadlines each day and use your Calendar to keep control of this . Research shows that you are 81 % more likely to achieve something that is in the calendar ( ie : it has a deadline ) rather than on a to-do list .
Set a Timer When you ’ re working towards a deadline , you ’ ll want to avoid being constantly interrupted . That ’ s why blocking out time in your calendar and setting deadlines for your work is so important . Using a timer or countdown alarm for the time you ’ ve allowed for a task will help you retain focus — something happens at a subconscious level when you ’ re working ‘ on the clock ’. When the alarm goes off , take a break . The Pomodoro technique recommends a 25-minute block of time to focus on a single task and then a 5 minute break . Do this 4 times and then have a longer break . For remote working , this allows you to fully focus on work activities and then do some domestic chores
62 Chief of Staff | Issue 2 2020