Four time-saving hacks to increase your productivity

One moment you’re answering a client email; the next, you’re preparing an intimate dinner or soothing a fussy toddler. Remote work arrangements have challenged what were once clear boundaries between work and home. It’s time to pick up some new habits and time-saving hacks to make the most of this new environment.

1. Keep your self accountable

Invite your team to join you for blocks of virtual work time, where you all keep the camera on.

One of the most effective ways to stay productive is leveraging your team as your circle of accountability. Invite your team to join you for blocks of virtual work time, where you all keep the camera on. According to social psychologists, people have an unconscious motivation to impress their audience because having spectators magnifies the work we do and motivates us to work harder. By having virtual work time, you can answer questions and concerns in real-time, and you’ll also be less tempted to go deal with a household chore or scroll through social media.

2. Set up sprints for focus-time

Use the pomodoro technique, a popular time management system, to your advantage. Set “work sprints” for yourself that clearly delineate focus time and break time.

This system can be customized according to your work dynamics and needs. If your daily load and attention span allow you to work for an entire hour without getting sidetracked, then allot an hour solely for one specific task. Set a 15-minute rest period to avoid work fatigue. This way, you’ll be more focused and productive, while ensuring that you have time to relax.

You can set this up manually through multiple alarms with varying time limits, or through “focus” apps that cater to your interests. One popular app is Focus Plant, which discourages you from checking your phone during focus periods so you can grow a virtual garden. Another focus app option is Pomodor, a straightforward, web-based pomodoro timer that allows you to set up focus sessions and breaks in between.

3. Make a plan and stick to it

Planning your work ahead saves time that you can use to do other things.

While it may seem obvious, defining clear goals is a crucial part of time management. Heavy workload can be especially overwhelming during crucial weeks with mounting deadlines. Planning your work ahead saves time that you can use to do other things—like handling last-minute tasks or taking additional moments of rest.

Find a system that works best for you, whether that means having sticky notes posted on your wall or setting reminder alarms on your smartphone arranged in order of priority.

Writing down your tasks can help you manage and anticipate your workload while keeping your mind organized. It also prevents you from panicking over tasks that you forgot about until minutes before the deadline.

4. Skip the trip and the line with digital banking services

Save time from travelling and lining up. Do more things, like your banking transactions, online.

"Don’t waste time in line, take care of your banking needs online." Luckily, most banks in the country have their own apps to enable this convenience, such as the BPI Mobile App.

From paying bills to transferring money to your loved ones, opening and managing your bank account, or simply reaching out to a representative for immediate concerns and inquiries, the BPI Mobile App’s customer-centric functionalities will dramatically shorten transaction times and do away with lines or forms.

Start a relationship with us today by downloading the BPI Mobile App through the App store or Google Play.