Photo by Roberto Nickson on UnsplashDue to the global pandemic, many people are working from home but struggling because they don’t know how to manage time. For some folks, the experience is new, some detest it and some are trying to embrace the process.
For some of us, working from home (or working at home) is normal and part of our daily lives. I have been working from home for many years even when our children were small. I have learnt many lessons along the way and mastered a few scheduling and time management strategies too.
It wasn’t always easy taking client calls while working from home with small children but I figured out a strategy that worked for me.
Want to know how to manage time when you work from home?
1. Set a start and finish time. That is, make sure you have set work hours. Just because you work from home [or have a solo office] doesn’t mean people can contact you at all hours. If you close at 5pm, then really close at 5pm and reply non-urgent emails the next day.
2. Avoid chit-chats with your pals or girlfriends during work hours. It is very easy to get distracted and have conversations with your friends who possibly work from home like you.
Do you know that distraction is a destiny thief and stagnation enhancer?
If you encourage people calling you just to chat during work hours or folks taking over your day with personal problems, you will never get anything done. Save the discussion for after work hours or weekends.
Besides, for some of these folks, don’t even talk. Just pray for them because no matter what you say in the conversation, they won’t listen. It’s quality time wasted on zilch. You can’t solve their problems. They need Jesus, not you!
3. Time is money. Remember. You are paid to use your time to solve problems and create solutions. Cherish your time [and those of your clients]. You waste time, you waste money. Use it well and operate with the spirit of excellence.
Are you a mom or dad working from home with small children? Fret not; children will grow. They don’t stay small forever.☺
Enjoy these times, find the strategy that works for you. As for me, I found out how to manage my time, what worked, what didn’t work and embraced the best process.
Ladies, ready for personal coaching for effectiveness and operating with the spirit of excellence in your projects? Click here for a free 15 minute chat.
Belinda is an award winning thought leader on mindset, global speaker, privacy and cybersecurity professional, AI governance leader, 5X author, executive coach and strategist. Through consulting, conference keynotes, and corporate trainings, she helps individuals to achieve goals, and make maximum impact in their spheres of influence.
