Summary

The web content emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, setting boundaries, and efficient time management, particularly for remote workers.

Abstract

The article "It’s Time To Shut It OFF" discusses the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially for remote employees who may find it difficult to disconnect from work. It suggests that setting clear boundaries and actively managing one's time are crucial for productivity and well-being. The author, Destiny S. Harris, advocates for working within set hours and being part of a company that values employees' holistic health. The article introduces the Pomodoro Technique as a method for enhancing efficiency by working in focused intervals with breaks. It also encourages self-reflection with a list of questions to assess one's work habits and suggests that taking time off is beneficial and should not induce guilt. Harris promotes the idea of working smartly rather than just hard and provides links to additional readings on related topics.

Opinions

The author believes that contributing to one's team and company within designated working hours is sufficient and that one should not be always online.
Efficiency is highlighted as key to making the most of one's 24 hours, with a particular emphasis on not wasting time on chats, emails, or mobile devices.
The Pomodoro Technique is recommended as a way to instill a sense of urgency and prevent the squandering of work hours on distractions.
Employees should prioritize working for companies that offer flexibility and care about their employees' overall well-being.
Regular self-assessment is important to ensure that one is adding value at work and managing time effectively.
Feelings of guilt associated with taking time off should be addressed and overcome.
Remote workers should not feel compelled to work just because they can work from anywhere.
Being super-active in chats, emails, and meetings is not necessarily a measure of contribution or hard work.

Work-Life Balance.

It’s Time To Shut It OFF

Are you setting boundaries at work?

For some employees, it’s too easy always to be online for work — especially if you work remotely. The blurred lines that remote work brings to the home can be intense! But, if you don’t shut IT (work) off, then work will eventually shut you down.

I decided a while ago that as long as I contribute, grow, add value to my team & company, and consistently offer and actively help others, then I am doing my part — as long as it is within my working hours and overall availability.

Whether you work for yourself or others, you must set boundaries with your time and actively manage it, or else time will manage you.

Side Note: When you work for someone else, focus on choosing a people-first company that offers you tremendous flexibility and cares about your holistic (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and professional) well-being.

Efficiency

I also believe in working efficiently to maximize the 24 hours you are blessed with each day. It is a waste of your day and time to linger in chats and gaze at emails for extended periods. And we can’t forget the epic yet troublesome mobile devices that steal the majority of people’s days every day.

Complete the work you need to accomplish for the day first; then, tend to the less urgent items.

Pomodoro

Today, one of my co-workers recommended I try out the Pomodoro Technique because I was chatting to her about timers (I ordered one last night per Anthony J. Yeung’s recommendation in his article).

What Is the Pomodoro Technique? The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have — rather than against it.

With this method, you break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. These intervals are referred to as Pomodoro. After about four Pomodoro, you take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes.

The idea behind the technique is that the timer instills a sense of urgency. Rather than feeling like you have endless time in the workday to get things done and then ultimately squandering those precious work hours on distractions, you know you only have 25 minutes to make as much progress on a task as possible. — The Muse

Final Questions To Might Think About

Questions You Should Ask Yourself.

When will I finish work on a typical day and stop being available?
What are my most productive times of the day?
Do I need to take a vacation or have a wellness/self-care day?
Do I feel I am adding value to my team and company?
Am I managing my time efficiently and expertly?
Why do I feel guilty about taking time off from work?
What new time management strategies and boundaries can I implement into my work life?

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Yourself.

Should I take time off since I can work from anywhere as a remote worker?
Will people think I’m not contributing enough if I’m not super-active in chats, emails, and meetings?
Am I working hard enough? It seems like everyone else is more “stressed out” and “busier” than me.
Why do I feel the need to think twice about taking time off from work?

Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers FREE books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained 3 degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow Destiny @ Instagram, Facebook, destinyh.com, mailing list, or join Destiny’s tribe.

Work-Life Balance.

It’s Time To Shut It OFF

Are you setting boundaries at work?

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