Ok, we have the set up right but now we need to make sure we are working well, have the systems in place so we can focus and set appropriate boundaries that accomodate to our family and lives.
These will be unique to you and your needs, you get to create it yourself with some input from family and work.
Here are some of our key tips to Mastering Time Management:
1. Create a Clear Start and Finish Time Each Day (with set boundaries)
This can vary from day to day but needs to be something you adhere to. Talk it over with the people you share your home space with and come to an agreement around work time and availability and stick to it wherever possible. Try to minimise interruptions to your workflow from workmates and family, to do this you need to let people know your timetable, maybe share your calendar and block out times you are not available and schedule in times for interruptions. If someone interrupts when you have a working block ask them if it is truly urgent and can’t be addressed at 3pm or after 5pm when you are taking a break or are finished for the day, you need to set boundaries.
It is suggested that you take a 10-20 minute break in the morning and afternoon as well a lunch break. Take a walk, grab a tea or coffee, do a little yoga or stretching, read, even walk the dog.
2. Discuss Your Working Arrangements with Your Employer/Manager
This will enable you to clarify what hours they expect you to be online and available. Establish email and text message response times, mention to them times you don’t want to be interrupted and advise the timetable you were hoping to work to that will suit you and your family.
Even establish a weekly meeting schedule with the team this way people can save a lot of their questions till this time which will mean a lot less interruptions to your day/week. Clearly there will always be some interruptions but if you establish some of these ground rules up front it will help to ensure the best productivity for you and expectations and goals will be met.
3. Keep Work in Your Workspace
This allows you to leave work behind and relax after work at home. The ideal workspace would be in a seperate room with a door so you can close yourself off form visual and audible distractions. However, if this isn’t possible try to create a barrier from visual distractions, ideally you won’t be looking out a window or have people walking past you and you shouldn’t be able to see the tv. If you can’t get away from noise then you need to block it out, maybe wear headphones that have white noise in the background i.e waterfalls. In this workspace you should also have your own stationary and filing cabinets and stacking trays that no one else is allowed to use.
4. Ensure You Have the Necessary Equipment to Be Productive, Focused and Complying to Safety Standards
Spend a little money to ensure you have the best equipment. Adding memory, getting a new monitor, chair or updating your keyboard and mouse to a more ergonomic one, will benefit you greatly.
5. Fill in Your Usual Commute Time to Transition From Work to Home
Now that you don’t have the commute to and from work, you need to still allow for this time at home (calm down). Find an activity for yourself that allows you to do this so for 30 minutes after work before joining the household and starting the jobs that are waiting. Take this time for yourself to read, watch something on Netflix, sit and leisurely drink a cup of tea, what ever you need.