When I first started my virtual assistant business in 2016, my biggest concern was how to be productive while primarily working from home. Back then, many believed that a business had to be run from an office, and having a manager ensured that you met your deliverables on time. This was pre-covid and people weren’t as familiar with remote work as we are now after the pandemic happened.
As my business grew and I started coaching new virtual assistants, I was faced with new challenges that come with working from home and needed to find a way to overcome them. In this blog post, I’ll share my expert tips on how to unleash productivity when working from home.
- Set up your workspace
Creating a dedicated workspace is the first step in increasing productivity. Prior to doing this, I worked wherever I was, even in bed and at the hospital, which meant that I was always in the work zone, no matter where I was. I eventually carved out a little part of our dining table as a workspace. Leaving my laptop and notepads on that portion of the table allowed me to get in the work zone and “leave” work whenever I got up. Over the years, I’ve improved on my workspace, and my productivity has increased significantly.
- Establish a routine
Setting a routine that you stick to, no matter what is going on around you, helps you create blocks of time for specific tasks in your life. This helps you show up when you’re supposed to, without other aspects of your life suffering. Write out your desired routine, itemize it using an electronic to-do list like Microsoft To Do, and schedule it into your Google calendar with two reminders (one for 30 minutes before and the other 10 minutes before). This system allows you to prioritize life tasks when necessary.
For instance, it is impossible to schedule a discovery call with me between 3-4pm on weekdays because that time is dedicated to school runs and it’s been scheduled into my calendar. The same applies to Mondays because it’s my CEO day. That’s giving priority to important tasks when it is required.
This routine has allowed me to switch to a three-day workweek, coach virtual assistants, and manage all my different expressions. We fall to the level of our systems.
- Prioritize tasks
Being busy does not always equal being productive. Use a to-do list strategically to ensure that you give priority to important tasks first. My routine allows me to work on client tasks (in my virtual assistant business) when my energy is at its peak. It makes sense to work on high-performance tasks when you are at your best and happiest. “Me” time always takes priority for me in the morning, with activities such as personal devotion, confession, journaling (if I’m up to it), and a shower! As work-from-home professionals, we can be tempted to jump straight into work and forget to take care of ourselves. Taking a shower signals the start of the day for me and prepares me mentally.
- Minimize distractions
Distractions can be a major downside of working from home, but scheduling work hours when your environment is less noisy or distracting can help. For moms and wives, strike a deal with your kids and spouse on hours when they will have your undivided attention, and keep your promises. This way, they will be more agreeable and let you concentrate when you need to. I also schedule social media, WhatsApp messages, and emails. It’s easy to get lost on social media without discipline, so I avoid visiting these platforms when I need to work. WhatsApp messages are checked every two hours, and emails are checked every 30 minutes during work hours. This way, I’m less distracted and more productive.
- Schedule regular breaks
There is no honor in overworking yourself. Taking regular breaks, especially when you start to feel overwhelmed or unproductive, is essential. Use these breaks to stretch, walk, or just rest. Overworking will only lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run.
For a space of 2 years, I worked all through without a break or a vacation to relax. I eventually experienced burnout so bad I had to take a 3-month unscheduled break because I couldn’t recover as quickly as I hoped I would. Taking scheduled regular breaks will make the difference between a productive fulfilled work-from-home entrepreneur & an angry, underperforming but overwhelmed one.
To effectively take these breaks, schedule them into your calendar. On average, you should be able to take one day a week, one weekend a month to yourself, to relax, smell the roses and recoup.
If you work hard, you’ve earned the right to play hard!
PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
Leveraging technology and tools is a critical aspect of being productive and efficient as a remote worker or entrepreneur. In fact, it’s almost impossible to work from home without relying heavily on technology and various tools.
Automation is indeed a powerful tool, and there are many software and apps available that can help automate repetitive tasks and workflows, such as scheduling appointments, sending follow-up emails, and processing payments. Adopting such tools can save time, reduce errors, and allow you to focus on more important tasks.
In addition to automation, there are various other tools and software that can help you stay organized and productive, such as time tracking tools to monitor how you spend your time, calendar apps to schedule appointments and deadlines, to-do list apps to manage tasks and priorities, and project management tools to collaborate with remote team members.
It’s important to invest in the right technology and tools that fit your business needs and to take the time to learn how to use them effectively. With the right tools in place, you can streamline your workflow, enhance your productivity, and ultimately, grow your business.
My top 6 productivity tools are
- Google Calendar – to create a routine and plan my day(s)
- Microsoft To-Do List – to manage all my daily tasks & deliverables
- Calendly for my bookings & discovery calls
- Dubsado – Client Relationship Management tool to automatically onboard clients
- Trello – Project Management Tool – Team collaboration
- Toggl – Time tracker
In conclusion, your work-from-home business offers many benefits, including increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, and the opportunity to work with people from all over the world. However, it also comes with its own unique challenges, such as staying motivated and productive in a home environment, avoiding distractions, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this post, you can successfully navigate these challenges and enjoy a successful and fulfilling work-from-home experience. Remember to stay organized, maintain clear boundaries, and take care of your physical and mental health, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals as a remote professional.
