Working in a hybrid model, combining in-office and remote days, is a great opportunity for freelancers. They can enjoy the flexibility they need to balance their work and personal lives. However, it can also be a challenge for some.
In this week’s Befree blog post we offer you three tips on how to cope with hybrid work and make it productive and effective.
A rising model
Easter is approaching. In fact, today in Spain is the Friday of Sorrows. Many freelancers will take this week off. But others will take the opportunity to telecommute as much as possible in order not to lose money.
This is a model of work that is on the rise according to the numbers. Not only because of the pandemic, when the numbers of home-based workers skyrocketed. The hybrid work model has continued to grow after the toughest years of Covid-19. According to INE data in 2022, around 3.4 million Spaniards workers, or 17.3% of the employed population, were working from home in the second quarter of 2021.
On the other hand, the report New ways of working. Reflections on the future highlighted this. According to its conclusions, around 65% of Spanish companies aspire to hybrid working models. With all this, it is necessary to talk about this model. Here are three tips on how to cope with hybrid work.
1.- Create a workspace at home.
Creating a proper and organised workspace is key to being productive in hybrid work, but why is it important? A dedicated workspace will help you separate your work life from your personal life, and help you maintain a more effective work routine. Moreover, according to a study by the University of California, working in a proper and organised workspace increases efficiency and productivity by 20%.
To create your ideal workspace, you can start by choosing a quiet place in your home that allows you to work without noise and interruptions. Also, make sure you have a comfortable chair and a desk suitable for your needs. You can also add elements that help you feel more comfortable and productive, such as a plant, a lamp or a cup of coffee.
2.- Plan your working days
The flexibility of hybrid work can be a great advantage, but it can also result in a lack of structure and planning. To avoid this, it is important to plan your tasks depending on which days you will be working remotely and which days you will be in the office.
A good tip is to divide your work day into specific blocks of time for each task or project, setting up schedules for working on each of them. It is also important to include breaks and breaks so that you can recharge your energy and stay focused throughout the day.
To plan your work days, it is important to know your own rhythms and schedules. If you are most productive in the mornings, it is advisable to focus on your most important tasks during that time. Similarly, if you need an hour to clear your head before starting work, schedule it into your calendar as a routine.
3.- Prioritise your tasks
When you work remotely, it is easy to get distracted by non-priority or unimportant tasks. To stay productive and make the most of your time, it is important to prioritise your tasks according to their importance and urgency.
A useful technique for this is the Eisenhower matrix, which helps you classify your tasks into four categories: important and urgent, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither important nor urgent. This way, you can focus on the tasks that are really important and urgent, delegate those that are important but not urgent, and eliminate or postpone those that are neither important nor urgent.
Finally, don’t forget that hybrid work can be a great opportunity to find work-life balance. Take advantage of telework days to exercise, meditate or spend time with your family, and plan your days in the office so that you can make the most of your time and be productive. Remember that the key is to find the right balance for you and your lifestyle.
