Non-Linear Workdays | Are Yet Another Benefit of Remote Work

Employers and employees are experimenting with a range of new work patterns as the global workforce shifts permanently toward remote employment. New buzzwords like hybrid and remote-first have emerged to characterize the wide range of techniques. Employees are being given additional options to restructure their days as a result of the ongoing studies. Another term that’s more likely to attract nonlinear workdays, is a concept that might bring in a new era of working from home.

One certainty must be addressed before getting into the concept of nonlinear workdays. To fully benefit from the increased flexibility, a permanent transition to working from home would necessitate lifestyle changes. It is up to the individual to improve productivity and performance because they are no longer confined by an employer-imposed daily schedule. So you can achieve a better work-life balance and integration by adjusting your living and working arrangements.

 The long-term acceptance of remote work models is the outcome of the past year’s imposed conditions. GitLab’s 2021 Remote Work Report, based on a study of 3,900 knowledge workers explores what happened when working from home became a practical need around the world. Employees are satisfied with their productivity, with 80 percent recommending remote working to a friend. Employers benefit as well. According to remote employers, productivity has enhanced by 42 %, efficiency has improved by 38 %, and 31% employee morale has been raised.

I’ve created three tactics over the last decade that have not only helped me maximize my time but have also helped me become a better leader:

Plan Nonlinear Workdays

Nonlinear workdays may appear chaotic at first glance, but they simply hand over control of your daily schedule from your employer to you. If you’ve never been in control before, you can feel overwhelmed and end up doing the same thing you did before. You may discover previously unknown talents and preferences. Here are some points, let’s get started:

Calendar Audits

Take a page from Dropbox’s playbook and start with a calendar audit. Analyze these questions first: Which meetings are you currently attending? How many more meetings do you usually have each week?  And then evaluate your attendance at each meeting and see if your presence brings value. If the response is no or of limited value, remove those meetings from your schedule as soon as possible. This will allow you to devote more time to autonomous, focused work.

Set Collaboration Hours

Once your calendar has been trimmed down, you may follow Dropbox’s lead and create your collaboration hours. Consider your availability throughout their office hours for meetings and talks with coworkers. The number of hours needed will be determined by your part. If you generally work alone, a few hours per week may suffice, however, team members may require many hours per day. The success of this strategy hinges on effective communication. Coworkers should be informed so that they can communicate with you.

Schedule Time in Intervals

To get the most out of your day, divide it into Intervals. Two-hour intervals are ideal since they allow you to concentrate on a single task. Similar jobs can also be divided into chunks. For example, scheduling time to write and reply to emails, make social media posts, and do other corresponding tasks at the same time. You may find yourself disconnecting old work processes to create more efficient new ones.

Embrace Asynchrony

When operations and communication channels are asynchronous, nonlinear workdays are most efficient. Even if the terminology varies, the notion stays the same. Although the job or correspondence may be received, there is no obligation to answer right away. Work can be accomplished whenever the employee finds it most convenient.

Nonlinear Workdays = Working Freedom

Companies are researching, experimenting, and making modifications to find the ideal work models for their organization now that working from home has gone from a lovely idea to a practical requirement. One thing is certain: today’s remote workers have more time and control than ever before. Implement your version of a nonlinear workday to take control of your newfound flexibility and make the most of it every day.