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Ever wonder how others manage it all? I thought I would share my daily routine so you can see how I do it.
It’s Friday.
The morning
When the toddlers awaken, I wake up at 5.30 am. Before I get out of bed, I check my email on my smartphone. I know this is wrong and I’m bordering on obsessive. This is one of many downsides to virtual work. I am always online. I also work with many people in the U.S., so almost always something comes in while I’m asleep.
7-8.30am. Breakfast, getting everyone ready for the day. I work remotely and I don’t believe in dressing for virtual work. I just wear what I feel comfortable. It’s usually sweat pants, jeans, and a T-shirt or jumper.
8.30am. Turn on the computer. This involves going out of the house to my office in the backyard and then returning to the house to make a cup. It takes a while for the computer to get started, much like me.
Around 9 a.m. Start work. I am mentally prepared for the day. I have had a few hours since getting up to sort out my priorities. I know what meetings are coming up and what work I should do first.
As a copywriter, I work for many clients. I also manage to blog and write my own projects such as my new book. Today, I am using Divvy for the following purposes: to check the upcoming editorial calendar for one client, to see what work has already been assigned to me, and to review my editor’s notes. Although we meet monthly by phone, we often discuss articles via this virtual work management system. When it’s finished, I upload it.
My deadlines for projects change often due to last-minute requests from clients. I forgetting what I was supposed do and having to get it done quickly before anyone else. This is why I check my email often throughout the day.
11am. 11:15am. I complete the weekly project report that I am preparing for one of my initiatives and send it to the project stakeholders.
Lunchtime
12 noon. For lunch, come to the house. We usually make sandwiches or quick meals.
The afternoon
1pm. Take more tea with you back to the garden office. Check emails. Prepare for a conference phone call.
1.30pm. I put on my headphones to join a Skype conference call. We joined three other people to the Skype call. It was great to be able see them during the meeting (I had my camera off because of my ‘wear what you want’ approach and no one complained). We discuss a upcoming webinar we are jointly working on, and review slides, registrations, and other details for the event.
2.15pm. Meeting in person takes less time, as there is more focus and less chat. Virtual meetings are quicker than meetings in person. Meetings can generate work so I keep going. This means I can write more. I can write more than 6,000 words on my most productive writing days. Sometimes it’s much less. My tried-and-true templates for managing meetings make it much easier.
I also spend a lot of time checking my emails and social media. My job requires me to be up-to-date on social media and active on many channels. I use tools like Buffer, Coschedule, and others to help me stay on top of it all.
3.30pm. Phone calls. Even though I work remotely, I speak with many people every day via instant message, phone, or Skype. Virtual work doesn’t make me feel lonely!
I work remotely with clients, but also with my own team. I send work via email to my colleagues and log it for later.
Evening
Between 4.45pm – 5.15pm. I come in to prepare for the children’s evening. Working from home has many benefits. I can work remotely and still spend time with my family. We play, eat dinner, bathe, and go to bed. If I’m not in London, or at another office location during the day,
