When you are in position to work solely without supervision from your boss or manager, it is termed as working independently. With this type of working, one has the ability to work self-sufficiently with complete trust from their line managers to accomplish given tasks with little or no supervision at all. According to different career websites, working independently involves a sense of responsibility and self-reliance. With now more people working from home, Mathias Nkeeto, an educator says working independently can be an important skill to improve upon at this moment. He says this is important because technology is changing and that people have no choice but to adopt some skills that weren’t there before, adding that working independently is one of the skills to clutch on. Why is this important? Consultancy jobs, among others, are good examples of areas that need independent working. When you work independently, Alfred Mbachi, another educator and counsellor says working independently helps one increase focus in general. He says this comes about because when you are working on your own without any destructions and supervisions, it’s quite easier to remain centred on what you are doing. “I believe that making a step in what you are doing comes with ease when working on your own. It also improves your productivity level, and there are possibilities that one is able to see their input after they are done,” he says. For Diana Nawatti, a counsellor and head teacher, there is nothing as fulfilling as working at your own pace. She says by working independently, one is able to set the pace of working on assignments and tasks. Adding that as an educator, this comes in well because it gives teachers ample time to work on what they are supposed to deliver to students. She mentions that with this, an individual is in position to work on one assignment and at the same time can decide when or what time to switch to another task. Nawatti cites that working independently is another great opportunity to understand while working remotely. “As one is able to work independently more often, it can lead you to adapt, get used to and most importantly transition completely to remote working. In a nutshell, working independently can be a fulfilling and efficient way to complete your tasks and plan for other things,” she says. How to achieve this One of the best ways to achieve this, studies indicate that creating a team system is vital because here, your team can help out in handling some of your team you have created. Communicating with your co-workers during this period is key to improving your ability to work independently. Check in with management to see if working remotely is an option for your role. Working remotely can help you improve on working independently while you are not with your team physically. You might focus on projects or improve on your work pace while being free from some distractions in the office.
