Structuring Your Workday from Home

There are many glamorous aspects to remote work. Flexibility is a definite perk of remote work; however, structure is it’s Achilles heel. The resulting disorganization can single-handedly detonate an entire productive week. Lack of schedules and office culture rituals can turn workdays into uncompleted jumbles of to-dos. This podcast illuminates how structure is key to a successful home office! Jason Allan Scott shows us how to optimize our workday and maximize productivity. From peak times for caffeine boosts and creative power to biohacks and the Eisenhower matrix, Scott shares 12 easy steps to successfully structuring your workday!

1. Structure your day by time The most common strategy for success involves structuring your day by time. Routines support successful work rhythms! So, plan your workday the night before, by designing a detailed agenda to stay on task. Work out your personal most productive time of day. Then, prioritize! Tackle the most important tasks first. Inboxes are a black hole for time-waste, so make sure to check emails and social media notifications after must-dos are completed. The prime email opening time is just after 2 PM, so pencil in emails you want answered promptly right after lunch. Set uncompleted tasks as the first priority the following day!

2. Incorporate biohacks Design smart schedules by incorporating biohacks! For example, creative powers rise when our bodies fatigue, so use morning grogginess and afternoon slumps as an advantage! Cortisol levels start to dip after 9 AM making 9:30 to 11:30 AM ideal coffee intervals. According to body clocks, a second caffeine boost is most effective in the afternoon. Biologists have determined that our first hours are the most productive, thanks to rising body temperature, increased memory, and concentration. Therefore, use 9 am until lunchtime to get all your toughest work done. Remember sometimes less is more! Never work for more than 1 or 1 1⁄2 hours. Disengage and take a breather to sustain focus!

3. Categorize with batching Utilize batching! Break down your calendar, and assign different actions for different days. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, create holes in your timetable for thinking tasks. Map Tuesdays out for a finite amount of calls and meetings. Wednesday morning could be your allocated slot for boring lifemin tasks such as paying bills and clearing out inboxes. An alternate popular batching system is “Work, Play, Fit, Push.”

Aim to accomplish 3 major goals today! Remember, to always seek fulfillment in your position and productivity!