How do you stay on task?
Interview with Shauna, founder and business consultant specializing in remote work
I really think it has a lot to do with understanding when, where, and how you can perform and concentrate at your best.
Setting goals and SMART CAR goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely, commitment, accountability, and reward) and consistently planning & measuring yourself and your output is important. I also set monthly, weekly, and daily goals and a list of tasks that I re-prioritise as needed.
Shauna is a consultant that guides companies in thriving while remote—see her advice for staying grounded as a remote worker.
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Interview with Hannah, a freelance writer that travels the world
As easy as it is to get off track, it can be difficult to get back on track. This is where it can be a good idea to make a nice list of priorities.
Feeling organized can do wonders to calm you down. The sooner you start to accomplish your tasks again, the better. Action is a lot better than overthinking. If you’re behind, you don’t want to dwell on that fact—it just wastes time. Accept it and move on.
The only way to get back on track is to jump back into work.
Hannah is a freelancer writer and social media manager that travels the world while working remotely. Read her interview to learn how she works.
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Interview with Elizabeth, a graphic designer and art director
The last thing I do before I give up for the day is to organise myself for the next day. I think about what projects moved to final during the day, what needs immediate attention and then portion out the rest of the coming day.
Sometimes my next-day list is a bit aspirational, but it’s a good starting point for the next morning. I keep this list in my notebook on my desk and always within my line of sight.
But, that’s where the analogue fun ends. I’ve recently - shall we say - “enhanced” my desk set-up and have cranked the nerd-factor up to 11. My desk features my main computer, and I have two ‘arms’ that bring my laptop and tablet within easy reach independently.
To be honest, it’s not the most social set-up, as there are four screens surrounding my head, so it’s like working in an operating theatre at times!
But, it means I can turn off notifications on my main computer and sidecar those to my tablet to keep my focus where it needs to be. I also keep communication tools on my laptop, so Slack and WhatsApp messages aren’t in my line of sight when I’m brain-deep in a project.
Elizabeth provides the ultimate list of tips for aspiring freelancers and remote workers. Check out her game-changing tools, and advice for thriving as a freelancer.
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Interview with Hanling, a data scientist that works remotely on machine learning
The most important thing is to keep in touch with the client.
We need to first figure out the goal the client want to achieve. Then during the working process, if we have any progress or have any problem difficult to solve, we'd better inform the client of it as soon as possible in stead of wasting a lot of time.
For improving productivity, I would suggest finding a silent place which makes you feel comfortable to work, and use a continuous period of time to tackle one hard problem in the work instead of using fragmented time.
Hanling started working remotely as a student and now does freelance machine learning and data analysis for clients all around the world.
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Interview with Deb, a sales copywriter who transitioned from software development
Here are my top productivity tips and tricks:
- Go for a morning walk and do some freehand exercises at least 5 out of 7 days. Even if I wake up late, I make it a point to stick to this routine as it helps me feel fit and positive about myself, no matter how lousy the previous day was.
- Plan for the week ahead every Sunday night and try to stick to the plan. Even a rough plan helps keep me on track.
- Make it clear to my family and friends that I must not be disturbed when I am working unless it is a dire emergency.
- Turn off all social media notifications on my phone. When I have to meet a deadline, I put my phone in airplane mode.
- Work to music playing in the background. Here are some of my favourite tracks:
- To motivate myself:
- To focus on my work:
- Western classical by Bach, Strauss, or Mozart
- Other instrumental music mainly piano piece
- To jump out of the bed in the morning:
- Metallica, Megadeth, AC/DC
- To de-stress after an intense client session:
- US Top 40
- Top of the pops
- Take a nap in the afternoon. Since a typical work week is between 35 to 50 hours (depending upon project pressure), I make it a point to have an afternoon siesta for 45-60 mins. It helps me recharge my batteries during the day and plunge back into work 15 mins after waking up.
- Go for a short walk in the evening. Just before or after the sun sets, I step out of my house and take a stroll in a park nearby. This is different from my morning walks, which are typically high speed and intense. My evening walk is at a slower pace and I do it to relax.
- Try and schedule at least one day in a week to de-stress completely. When I am drowned in work, this typically does not happen, but even if I can’t make it one full day, I make it a point to block at least 5-6 hours of “me” time. I use this time to meet friends/family, catch up on a novel, go watch a movie. Anything to de-stress completely.
- Make it a point to take a 2-day break at least once in 2 months. There are some great guest houses and B&B’s in my city, so for a couple of days I go out with family for a break. I am not able to make it a leisure break all the time, so I either carry my wifi router or ensure that the guest house/B&B has a stable Wifi connection
- Take a 7-10 day vacation once every 5 or 6 months. What’s the point of freelancing if you can’t indulge your passions? Mine is traveling. I make it a point to go for a 7-10 day break at least twice a year. A confession – last week, I took 4 such breaks 😊)
Deb made the jump from full-time software developer to freelance sales copywriter—learn how he made the transition.
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Interview with Stefan, a founder building a location-independent startup
I constantly refer to my calendar and my daily priorities.
Whenever I get off task or go down a social media rabbit hole, I check that list.
Stefan now has total control over his time since leaving the traditional office in early 2019. Hear how his routine is helping him build a solid remote startup.
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Interview with John, a web developer who works from home
This is a great question. And I think it's something everybody struggles with from time to time, whether they work remotely or in an office.
For me, it goes back to the calendar. If I have the day mapped out ahead of time, I tend to stay on task a lot better.
When I don't have something scheduled for the day, I often get overwhelmed by the possibilities. I'll look at the blank slate and start thinking about the 1,000 projects or tasks that I keep saying I'll get to one day, but never really do.
Computer notifications are a big distraction for me. When it's time for me to be head-down on a task or project, it's key that I close any and all tabs that will make a sound or flash if something new comes in - email, Facebook, Twitter, et cetera. I'll set my status in Slack to "Do Not Disturb" and turn off notifications on my Mac.
Then, as the final step, I'll put on some low music. I have a playlist of 300 or so songs that I put on repeat. It's music that I know extremely well. I can't play new music because I find myself trying to "listen" to the music. The music for me needs to be like a soundtrack for my day. It's there in the background, but I'm just barely noticing it.
John is a web developer running a mini-agency inside a larger WordPress agency - learn how calendar management and establishing boundaries have helped him boost his productivity.
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Interview with Erin, a virtual assistant with a successful approach to freelancing
I've long stopped fighting myself when it comes to staying on task. Over the years, I noticed that I experience natural cycles of productivity.
There are some days that I feel more energetic and creative, and there are other days that I feel fatigued and bogged down by brain fog.
During the days or weeks that I feel unfocused, I tackle low-brainpower tasks like creating to-do lists. Then, I rest if I need to. When I'm once again feeling more focused, I tackle my to-do lists with lightning speed.
Erin has found freelancing success as a virtual assistant—see her organizational tips & insights into how she picks clients that suit her business.
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Interview with Meryl, a digital marketer and master of home office organization
Staying on task has always come naturally to me. On the rare occasion when I can't focus or stay on task, I switch to menial things.
Meryl K. Evans is skilled at creating a home office that leads to remote work flexibility. See her advice for creating a successful workspace, and hear about her journey into freelancing.
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Interview with Haley, a VP of Operations shares her stellar remote work strategies
I put my phone away, go into full-screen mode whenever possible, and I try really hard to single-task instead of multi-task.
I work in blocks, 1-3 hours before getting my little dude ready and off to school, 6-7 hours during the regular business day, and 1-2 times/week deep work in the evenings.
Most days, I take very few breaks; I like to work very intensely, completely focused on work where possible. Parenting and teaching indoor cycling on the side are great forcing functions for a disciplined work routine; I can’t stay late at work to get stuff done later.
I really enjoy my work and try to be very conscious of whether or not what I’m doing at any given moment is actually the best use of time. I’ve slowly eliminated meetings where I’m not adding value.
Haley has figured out the way she works best as a VP of Operations. See her principles of remote work and the unique advice a former boss gave her about breaks.
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