In recent years, significant economic and job market shifts have occurred, with notable challenges impacting businesses across various sectors. Despite hurdles like high federal interest rates and prominent layoffs in large companies, unemployment rates have plummeted to near-historic lows. However, this decline in unemployment hasn’t eased the strain on businesses, as they contend with fierce competition in the labor market.
Additionally, prospective employees are increasingly demanding higher salaries and better benefits to maintain a basic lifestyle. Many individuals are exploring alternative avenues to supplement their income, with a continued growing interest in remote work to earn that extra income. If that’s you, here are some of the challenges faced and notable means to overcome these challenges.
#1 Managing Our Time
How do we manage our time when we’re home all alone?
Visionary coach, John C. Maxwell, states the following: “Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.”
Indeed. Remarkably, we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and yet some people do so much more in their 24 hours than others. Prevailing wisdom suggests focusing on the important things first.
Productivity expert, Demir Bentley, advocates the 3-2-1 approach every day. Do 1 big thing, 2 medium things, and 3 small things and you will have a successful day. I believe you need to find your own rhythm. Ask yourself what worked for you in a more structured environment and replicate that.
#2 Communicating Effectively
How do we calm the noise and still get our points across?
Author Chris Fussel writes: “As a leader, you must consistently drive effective communication. Meetings must be deliberate and intentional–your organizational rhythm should value purpose over habit and effectiveness over efficiency.”
Be prepared before you reach out. Know what you want to communicate and what outcome you seek. An absence of clarity is your enemy and will cause lots of wasted time. If you need to, make some notes. This will help you be more intentional.
#3 Overcoming Distractions
How do we get past the relentless onslaught of distractions?
Science journalist, Daniel Goleman, states: “One way to boost our willpower and focus is to manage our distractions instead of letting them manage us.” This could certainly represent an entire blog post of its own, though there are three prevalent recommendations.
Set your work hours. Start and stop your work day.
Manage your technology. Don’t get distracted by social media. Schedule breaks. Get up and walk around. Take a minute to yourself to refocus. You will become much more productive.
#4 Maintaining Productivity
How do you remain efficient, get your work done, and produce results?
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, writes: “We will reinvent productivity to empower every person and every organization on the planet to do more and achieve more.”
Actually, this final point encompasses the other four–and the better we become at all of them, the more productive we can be.
Here are a few more productivity tips.
- Implement regular meetings. Have a schedule and stick to it.
- Minimize your busy work. Automate whatever you can.
- Find your own work rhythm. What really works for you?
Wouldn’t it be great if you created a more effective YOU in the process? YES!
So let’s enjoy the ride, sharpen your sword, and get ready for the future.
As Malcolm X once said: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
