How to Succeed Doing Asynchronous Work: 5 Foolproof Tips

Asynchronous work has become more of the norm than not in this post-pandemic era, so finding ways to accomplish it more successfully is key to our new normal.

By definition, asynchronous work refers to any work — be it work for your career, schoolwork, coursework, or anything that requires work to be completed on a deadline — that can be done independently and not on a schedule. Regardless of what kind of work it is, it can be hard to stay focused without the structure of defined meeting or class time.

Our world-class free curriculum, App Academy Open, is completed asynchronously, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of students from finding value in our coding curriculum to find new jobs or excel in their current careers. In watching these students, we’ve learned a few foolproof ways to learn asynchronously and get the most out of not only our course, but any work you’re completing in an asynchronous setting.

Here are five must-do tips in order to complete asynchronous work in the best way possible.

The 5 best tips for succeeding while doing asynchronous work

Define your work space.

Anyone who works remotely knows the importance of defining an area of your home or finding a space in your community, like a library, coffee shop, or co-working space to work rather than combining living and working space in your home. The same goes for asynchronous work.

In addition to not only defining where that space is, it’s important to outfit your workspace with everything you need to be successful. This includes everything from the proper technology and products to the furniture, decor, and seating.

Find community.

Asynchronous work can often be lonely. You are the only person responsible for your progress most of the time. Finding community online or within your company or school is imperative — not only does it create accountability for you and your work, but it gives you a place to share ideas, questions, frustrations, and celebrations.

At App Academy Open, we have an optional Slack channel where members can convene with one another as well as our instructional team. App Academy Open members also find one another on Reddit, Discord, and social media. The same goes for many other communities, so seeking out others on those channels could be fruitful for your specific asynchronous work. At the corporate level, communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams often function as a central hub for community within an organization.

Work at the same time each day or on the same day each time.

Consistency is key in asynchronous work environments. If you’re trying to find time within your day to work, you’ll always find an excuse to not — it’s human nature. By setting aside the same block of time every day or the same day(s) every week to complete your work, you’ll know exactly what to expect. Habits develop with consistency, and in order to be successful, those habits need to be established.

Create task management.

Be it digital or analog task management, create a system that works for you. There are great project management tools online you can use for free or more affordably, but a planner and a pen work just as well. In addition to finding the right time of day or day of week to work, time blocking your day by task or project are equally as important to working asynchronously. That way, you know exactly what you’re focusing on, when, and why.

Use tools intentionally and effectively.

Just as companies create tech stacks within their organization that combines any number of tools to complete projects, you should create a personal tech stack that helps you complete your work.

Sometimes, having too many tools is just as ineffective as not having enough. Here are some of the tools worth considering having in your personal asynchronous work toolkit:

• An email service provider to send and store emails
• A large cloud-based file system, like Dropbox or Google Drive to store your larger or older files
• A word processor for note taking and document creation
• A spreadsheet processor for any spreadsheets to store data or other information
• A slide deck processor to create slide decks for presentations
• A project management tool to keep track of tasks, projects, or coursework

The proper stack of tools will ensure you’re on the right track in a timely manner.

App Academy Open is asynchronous work for budding coders

Watching students complete App Academy Open has given us a lens into what makes people successful working asynchronously, and we’re confident that this list of tips will make you better at doing so.

Asynchronous work is a challenge for even the most organized and efficient people, but with the right tools and practices, it can be a successful endeavor whether it’s for school, additional coursework, or your career.

Sign up for your free access to App Academy Open’s coding curriculum now.