The pandemic brought greater emphasis to the remote working model. But, in the following years, an increasing number of workers wanted and expected flexible work arrangements. While a few companies continue to adopt a fully remote working model, many have favored a hybrid approach that promises the best of both worlds.
Hybrid work environments offer the ultimate flexibility, empowering employees to seamlessly switch between working in the office and remotely.
However, while this is really cool, it also leads to some new challenges. For instance, employees should learn how to stay organized no matter where they work from. The good news is that there are many ways for you to move past these challenges and stay organized in a hybrid work environment.
What is a hybrid work?
A hybrid work means the benefits of working remotely and in the office. Employees are allowed to work from home for a set number of days per week and are required in the office for the remainder. This helps employees take advantage of greater flexibility and fewer distractions when working at home, in addition to the face-to-face contact with colleagues and team spirit that an office environment provides.
How to stay organized in a hybrid work environment
If you want to stay well-organized in a hybrid work environment, here are some important steps to take as an employee:
- Have a to-do list
Regardless of the location you’re working from, you know the tasks you need to deliver that day. Making a to-do list will help you keep track of the things you need to complete each day and will also help you stay on track. Whether this list is on paper, on your phone, or in an app, it will help you stay organized, no matter where you’re physically located. They help you plan out your day. With to-do lists, you get the satisfaction of crossing off items once you’ve finished them, which can help keep you motivated throughout.
- Use a planner
Planners are another useful tool for staying organized and help provide consistency even when your work environment is changing from day to day. Many employees find calendar apps to be useful so you can have yourschedule in the palm of your hand. And also, make sure to set reminders on your calendar to keep track of your appointments, deliverables, meetings, and deadlines.
- Create a designated workspace
Having a comfortable workspace with all of the supplies you need will allow you to stay organized and maximize productivity. Wherever you might be working on a given day, make sure to identify somewhere with good light, a comfortable chair, and a desk where you can set up. Bring anything that will help you zone in and focus, such as a mouse, mouse pad, laptop stand, headphones, or blue light glasses. Having a good physical setup will get you in the right mental space to be organized and productive for the rest of the day.
- Keep an organized work bag
Keeping a designated work bag is essential if you’re always on the move. You should store everything you might need, including headphones, chargers, water, snacks, and anything else you want to be organized and in the same place so you can easily access it all no matter where you find yourself the next day. This will save you tons of time. Also, if you skip this simple step, and for example, your laptop charger goes missing, it could disorganize your entire day. Set yourself up for success by neatly packing up all of your work materials at the end of each day. This helps cultivate a healthy work-life balance because it signals the end of the workday and allows you to unwind and start the next chapter of your day. You will thank yourself the next morning when everything you need is ready and you can easily pick up where you left off.
The freedom you have when working in a hybrid environment requires a bit of extra planning to keep on top of your professional responsibilities. The ideas listed here will help you stay organized and have a productive work life while you take advantage of the benefits of hybrid work.