7 productivity tips to improve work-life balance
The rise of work from home, remote, and hybrid work models has reshaped how and where we work, offering unparalleled flexibility and improved work-life balance. While remote working offers great benefits, it has its challenges. Without the structure of a traditional office environment, it can be difficult to avoid distractions, maintain boundaries between work and personal life, and manage your time effectively.
To help you make the most of your work from home, remote or hybrid work routine, we’ve put together a list of productivity tips that will help add structure to your day, organise your workload, and avoid distractions so that you can achieve work-life balance.
1. Establish clear and achievable goals
Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps and prioritise them based on importance. This approach not only makes projects more digestible but also allows you to celebrate small victories along the way, boosting motivation.
2. Create a structured routine
Establishing a daily routine can help you stay organised and focused. Set specific working hours, plan breaks, and allocate time for different tasks to optimise your productivity.
3. Use time blocking
The time-blocking technique allocates specific time slots to different tasks. This method helps you focus on one task at a time, reducing the feeling of overwhelm. You can use calendar tools like Google Calendar or Notion Calendar to visually plan your day and allocate dedicated blocks for focused work, meetings, and breaks. These calendar tools come with the added benefit of being able to schedule meetings. This tutorial shows how to set up a time blocking calendar.
4. Limit distractions
Constant alerts from emails, messaging apps, and social media can cause distraction and interrupt your workflow. Set your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ during focused work periods, and communicate your availability with clients and colleagues.
5. Focus with the Pomodoro technique
Multi-tasking and constant task switching reduces focus and concentration, leading to an overall lack of productivity.
Based on the retro Italian kitchen timer, the Pomodoro technique is a simple and effective way to deal with procrastination and focus on a specific task for a set amount of time. By setting a timer for 25 minutes, turning off all notifications, and working on just one task, you’ll be surprised by how much you can get done! Once the 25 minutes are up, take a 5-minute break and then re-set the timer for your next focus session.
The Pomodoro tool can also function as a time-tracking tool for working on specific tasks and projects.
6. Leverage project management tools
For keeping track of projects and streamlining your workflow, using project management tools like Trello, Notion or Asana can help you stay organised, collaborate with others, and stay on track. These project management tools vary in complexity, cost and set-up time. Here is a quick overview:
Trello
Trello has a simple, intuitive, and visually appealing interface. Its card-based system, allows individuals and teams to organise tasks on boards, lists, and cards, providing a visual representation of a project's progress.
Asana
With tools for task tracking, timelines, and team collaboration, Asana is a versatile solution for both small and large projects.
Notion
Notion goes beyond traditional project management tools, offering a versatile platform for collaboration, note-taking, and documentation. It combines the functionalities of a wiki, task manager, and database, providing a holistic approach to project organisation.
7. Take breaks!
Productivity is closely tied to well-being. Take breaks to stretch, walk around, or have a chat! Incorporating short breaks into your day can re-energise you and improve overall focus.
Looking to improve your work life balance?
Co-working spaces offer a unique blend of flexibility and community for entrepreneurs and hybrid workers that bridges the gap between the solitude of working from home and the structured environment of traditional offices.
If you’re looking to improve your work-life balance or switch up your work routine, check out The View’s membership plans.