How can I be more efficient when teleworking?

In the context of the COVID®-19 pandemic, teleworking has become essential. This unprecedented situation means that many teams are faced with a new way of organizing their work. While telecommuting has many advantages, it does require a certain amount of organization. Here are a few tips on how to work better and more efficiently.

List your tasks and define your priorities

Now more than ever, the question of work-life balance is essential. Your biggest challenge is to find the framework that suits you best to achieve your goals.

Start by listing all the projects you need to complete and select the 3 most important. This will beyour top list, the rest is secondary.For each project, list 3 main tasks per week, linked to this main objective. When you complete a task, that's all you need to think about. Put the phone away by activating the silent mode.

Tip:Delegate tasks that can be done, and put off until later what doesn't have to be done today.Google Tasks or Trello can help you create your to-do lists.

Please don't open your e-mails first thing in the morning!

Yesterday, you've drawn up a nice to-do list, you're sitting serenely at your desk, you open your mailbox, and there! 50 new e-mails received since yesterday, 80% with "URGENT!!!!" in the subject line. As a result, you've forgotten about your to-do list, and spend your day answering e-mails.

Don't let your e-mails guide your day to the detriment of your objectives. Start the day withyour priority tasks and set aside a moment (or two) during the day to deal with your e-mails. Test what works best for your responsibilities.

Your goal should bean empty mailbox("What?!") And yes, your mailbox isn't a to-do list. When you receive a new e-mail, process it during the day, archive it or add it to your to-do list.

Tip:To be quicker, limit your answers to 5 sentences in your e-mails.

Introspect in all sincerity

Someorganizationswork for some people and not for others. Take stock of what works and what doesn't. Are you a morning person? Use this time for tasks that require a lot of concentration, and leave the rest for the afternoon.

Don't forget totreat yourself to what motivates you. A mediation session? A game of Fifa? A jog? Identify your motivational levers, what gives youenergy, and setaside time in your diaryfor them.

And above all, don't skip your breaks. It's these breaks that will enable you to be more productive for the rest of the day. During these moments, you keep as far away from work as possible (when you're doing a task, that's all you can think about. Remember?).

Finally, bekind and forgivingto yourself. You haven't managed to complete your 3 priority tasks? Find out why and think about tomorrow!

Source: Talent2Africa