06 July 2020
Many of us have been forced to work from home due to current circumstances, and it may even become the new norm. Here are some essential tips to ensure to ensure a productive workday…
Working from home can be quite challenging – especially if you are sharing the space with other family members and pets.
SET UP A SECLUDED SPACE
Loud noise – like children playing and dogs barking – might break your focus or disrupt an important phone call. If possible, set up a workspace that’s isolated from the rest of the household, whether that be tucked away in a bedroom or, if you’re lucky, a home office. While it may be convenient to set up office in high-traffic places like the living room, opt instead for a space with less noise and distraction.
STAY ORGANIZED
A clean room is a clean mind, right? That’s true for your workspace, too! Keep your desktop orderly and organized. Make sure it’s stocked with necessary supplies, including things like pens, sticky notes and a stapler. Whether it’s a home office or your kitchen table, design a calming space that encourages productivity.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
With no morning travelling, it’s tempting to stay in your pajamas all day. While comfortable, it won’t feel like the day has truly begun – and it will make it even more difficult to separate work and relaxation. Get dressed for work as if you were heading into the office, ensuring you feel professional and prepared for whatever comes your way.
Additionally, the influx of video business meetings drives incentive to stick to your typical hygiene schedule, looking clean and presentable in front of the camera.
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
Permit personal distractions, like television and personal social media, only outside of business hours. Though it may be tempting to have a TV show playing in the background, it can spiral into an inefficient workday and waste time that could be spent on conducting business or working on professional growth.
DEVELOP A MORNING ROUTINE
A dangerous perk of working from home is not having to get up and rush out of the house. However, this doesn’t mean you get to skip your morning routine altogether. Get up early, take a shower, make your coffee and breakfast, and prepare your lunch, just like you would have if you had to leave the house.
EXERCISE & STRETCH REGULARLY
Exercise is important for productivity. And regularly stretching helps you maintain good posture.
TAKE SHORT BREAKS
Although taking breaks might seem counterproductive, taking short breaks can actually increase productivity and creativity levels. Work short, five-minute breaks into your daily schedule.
STICK TO A SCHEDULE
Set work hours for yourself and stick to them, beginning and ending at the same time each day. Schedule a lunch break to refresh. Try to truly clock out when the workday is over; whether it’s calling friends and family, going for a walk, watching your favorite movie or trying a new dinner recipe, engage in activities that promote your well-being.
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE
If you don’t usually work from home, there will be some hiccups along the way. To overcome these hiccups, good communication is essential, especially with your manager and colleagues. And you don’t have to stick with only text-based communication. Sometimes it might be best to communicate over the phone or through video chat. This will cut down on miscommunication and break up some of the social isolation that can come from working from home.
By applying some of these tips from the start, you will streamline your routine and increase your productivity.