Being busy does not mean being productive.
Most of us think that the only way of attaining effectiveness in our life is by being loaded with multiple tasks. But come to think of it, "Productivity is evaluated by dividing standard output per period by the overall costs incurred."
Productivity is not about working hard. It is about working smart.
Most of those who work online with a home-based job in the Philippines usually wake up with jammed calendars and lists that we need to fulfill every day.
As working professionals, we always wish to make our time effective and efficient every day. With my obsession with this holistic, here are the five tips for maximum productivity.
1. Eliminate Distractions
"Lola, come back and tell me about the good old days after I finish my work".
Distractions are everywhere
In this virtual world, it's easier to be deceived.
Losing focus and interest is something you would not like to happen, especially if you are an online virtual assistant and your client is in a rush for deliverables.
Make the most of your time!
Keep away from go-to notifications and distraction starts by getting into the correct habits.
A quick start would be checking out your mobile and desktop notifications.
Do this every time you are at the level of deep work. You can shut down your phone or silence the notification inside it. Another great way to stay committed is to add a site blocker and slash off social media sites that can be a subject matter for taking your time.
2. Don't Forget Breaks
The goal is to be effective and not to be burnt out.
No matter how busy a Virtual Assistant you are, always take time to do periodic rests, especially getting your eyes away from the screens.
Stretch and stand up, and take a walk around the house or, better still, outside.
You can do the Pomodoro Technique following the rule, which I often do.
You can do this by breaking down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. In this way, you will return to your work physically and mentally refreshed, making your work more productive.
3. Create a Vision for the Day
Steve Jobs used to watch in the mirror and ask himself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"
A perfect way to create a vision for your Day is to set up a couple of questions the night before you go to bed. You can follow Steve's routine, but I suggest setting it up in your way.
What I usually do, is that I bring a sheet of paper and a pen and write down the top 3 tasks to do that are relevant to my utmost daily goal. Transfer it on a small tabloid or in a to-do app, and secure its visibility over my desktop space or at my room door.
Doing this before going to bed will ease your time and keep your focus organized the Day after. Making you a fantastic Virtual Assistant and bringing Pinoy pride to the online workers' world.
4. Taking Care with your Body
To be energized throughout the Day of work, you should make sure that you're conscious of the food that you intake. "Health is Wealth," as they should say, is the fuel for an ecstatic day.
Start your day with a power breakfast. Go less with sugar-intake during the morning, which may bring you to afternoon drowsiness. Always have an option for a smoothie, tea, or coffee as a meal drink.
Find time to take part in some aerobic and physical fitness activities. You can schedule at least twice a week.
Remember this fellow Filipino VA's "The healthier you are, the more productive you become."
5. Make yourself accountable
Whatever your specific job role is as a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines, at all times, be accountable in every decision.
The common problem when working from home is we often take for granted the workload given, tied to the notion that "I can do it tomorrow" or "It's okay my clients don't know what I am doing right now."
This hurts not only our professional individuality but also our total productivity.
Remember, time is our most valuable resource. One cannot achieve his personal goal without exchanging time as its sacrificial lamb. Unless you want to be mediocre, not realizing time was already wasted.
These are a handful of tips that you can incorporate into your daily Virtual Assistant Work. Let your mind be guided and take as much action as possible.
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