Proper Time Management in Your Home-Based Work
Because of the convenience and flexibility of time, many want to try home-based work. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it helps both the employer and the employee, allowing them to save a huge amount of money in the process.However, unless you are truly committed to the work, doing your job at your own home can be filled with a lot of distractions. In the end, you don’t get to finish a lot of things. Worse, you end up creating substandard work, forcing your employer to fire you.Learn how to manage your time properly even when you’re working at home. Here are some tips:1. Work at your most productive hour. Contrary to popular belief, you really don’t have to stick with the usual morning schedule. It’s a lot better to work on your projects at your most productive hour. This is the time when your level of energy, creativity, and productivity are in their all-time high. This can be in the middle of the night or early in the morning-it doesn’t really matter.2. Come up with a schedule and stick with it. Yes, home-based work provides you a lot of flexibility, but you should not learn to abuse it. Give yourself an opportunity to be flexible only when it’s highly necessary. Otherwise, develop a schedule and make sure you can follow it to a T. By doing so, you can also learn to differentiate both your personal and working hours.3. Make sure you don’t get disturbed. If you’re working, make sure there will be no distractions. Turn on the answering machine, so you don’t end up lifting the phone. Don’t answer unnecessary calls or tell your callers to dial once you’re done. Avoid doing any household work. Turn the TV off. If you have a home office, put a sign that says “Do not disturb” or instruct your family members to not disturb you unless absolutely necessary once you’re already in the working zone.4. Come up with a plan for the next day. Once you’re done for the day, don’t immediately leave the desk. Write everything you want to accomplish for tomorrow. This way, you don’t spend a lot of time pondering which tasks you should focus on the next day.5. Leave the work at your desk. The moment you step out of your desk, it means that you’re done with work, and you’re ready to resume your personal life. Never go back to it until the next day. You may also want to leave your mobile phone there.6. Limit Internet use. There are so many things you can do online, which can just distract you. Limit your e-mail checks twice a day. Avoid answering instant messages if they really don’t relate to your office time.Learn to Manage Your Stress EffectivelyStress can be such a detriment when it comes to time management. Usually stress removes your creativity and reduces your productivity. To help cope with stress, you can make use of subliminal messages.Subliminal messages, for many, provide the kick or motivation they need without really wasting a lot of time. You can recite the subliminal messages while you’re stretching or having your down time. You can also put up subliminal messages or affirmations within your home office.
