SkilledUp Life is a two-sided talent marketplace that connects volunteers with early-stage technology startups. SkilledUp Life requires all volunteers to commit to 1-3 hours daily (Mondays through Fridays) for three months. Now, this could be interesting since it’s remote; however, we must not mistake time spent for productivity. This is what this article is about.

Remote engagement brings its own element of freedom, usually there’s not much pressure on you to do what you must do, hence there’s a tendency to slack or not make effective use of the hours you have opted to commit. In the worst cases, you may have other equally important responsibilities that may conflict with your volunteer duties.

But as the saying goes, a determined mind and a strong will bear endless possibilities. So if you indeed want to do your best, you can. In this article, we discuss some proven ways SkilledUp Lifers can be productive in their daily hours of volunteering.

How SkilledUp Lifers Can Be Productive

Here are seven (7) clear ways SkilledUp Lifers can be productive with 1-3 hours of volunteering.

1.     Set clear goals and objectives.

The first rule of productivity is setting clear and concise goals and objectives. As a volunteer, you need to clearly state your purpose for volunteering. Is it to gain experience? Or to build particular skills? And then you move on to note how you can achieve those goals in simple terms. Also, add a timeline. I.e., what will your weekly goal be? Or what task(s) would you need to accomplish within that week? Indulging in this practice will help you achieve productivity as a volunteer.

2.  Set Priorities

Since there isn’t much time to work in a day, it’s important to prioritize the very important tasks that need urgent attention. Prioritizing increases productivity and helps you make efficient use of your time. 

It also helps you make a significant impact and achieve the most important results. As a SkilledUp Lifer, always seek to work on tasks that align with your goals and the company’s as well.

3.  Continuous Learning

Now, one very important thing you must not forget as a volunteer is that SkilledUp Life is an avenue to learn and grow. There’s always something to learn each day; you need to be keen on it. As you work daily, you need to ensure you’re learning something new. 

Continuous learning helps you stay motivated and engaged in your volunteer term. At the end of the day, as you’re working to significantly impact your company, you must ensure that you’re also building yourself up.

4.   Collaboration

Collaboration is one great way to increase productivity as a volunteer. Aside from this, your ability to collaborate in itself is a skill most employers require. So this is more like killing two birds with a stone.

Collaboration allows you to learn from your fellow volunteers, build up your professional network, achieve your goals quickly, and provide one another with support and motivation.

5.  Manage volunteering and other responsibilities effectively.

As much as we would love for you to commit more hours to work for technology startups, it sure doesn’t work that way. You have other equally important things to attend to. Be it work, school, or any other duties. This is why it’s relevant to maintain a balance between volunteering and other responsibilities. You cannot afford to do more than the other.

Always make sure you’re not doing less than you’re expected to during your volunteer term. Learn to manage your time well. Remember, time management is an invaluable skill.

6.  Always seek feedback.

There’s a need to know that you’re on the right track as you’re working. It’ll be a waste of time to take a long time to work on a task only to realize you were on the wrong track.

Always seek feedback from your team leaders or colleagues. Make sure to check in with yourself regularly to see where you’re at and how well you’re doing. Make changes to your plan based on what works and what doesn’t.

7.   Communication

No organization or individual can function without proper and effective communication. This is why volunteers must take effective communication seriously. Communication is essential for productivity. It helps to clarify tasks and expectations, build trust and maintain relationships, and most importantly, it will allow you to speak on matters that may bother you. For instance, if you’re unable to attend a meeting or work on a particular task, all you need to do is communicate and discuss with your team leader to find other alternatives.

Our Final thoughts

As a volunteer, being able to fully commit 1-3 hours daily for 3 months shows how disciplined, dedicated, and committed you are to your personal and professional growth. It’s a way to tell your future employer who you are and what you’re capable of. 

It isn’t easy to fully commit, so if you’re doing so, just know that you’re the real gem. Following these points above will indeed help you achieve your best results and attain your goal at the end of the day.

If you feel 1-3 hours for three months is not enough, you can always extend your term and try out a different role. SkilledUp Life is indeed a place full of endless opportunities.

Feeling motivated to be a SkilledUp Lifer? Sign up to volunteer at www.skilledup.life, ensure your profile’s sections are completed, and begin your journey to professional growth.

Article Written By: Abena Adjei-Baffoe

Copywriter (Ghana)