The impact of Covid-19 has resulted in a huge percentage of people working from home.
Prior to the pandemic, many people who worked from an office craved the benefits of working from home… zero commuting hours, no parking snarls, not having to combat the cold weather, and sitting in the comfort (and now ‘safety’) of their own home.
But despite all of these advantages, a significant number of people have struggled with their productivity (no matter how productive they were at the office!).
So here are a few steps to keep you productive when working from home…
Start Your Day as You Normally Would
We are influenced by our surroundings. We are happier working with people we like, and work more efficiently in an environment we’re comfortable in. Get ready for work in the same way you would if you were traveling to the office – this includes getting up at the same time and not wearing pyjamas all day. Sticking to your regular morning routine gets you in the mindset of work.
When you wake on a Saturday morning, you treat the morning differently from a weekday because you know you haven’t got a day of work ahead – you might eat breakfast before getting dressed, watch TV in bed and may even get up later. Your mind is set for a day of leisure.
Don’t watch 1 hour of TV before starting work, if you don’t already do that, and know it won’t be good for your work motivation.
Set Up an Office
You don’t have to buy a desk with a fancy leather chair, or start moving your house around.
But creating a workspace will get your mind in gear to work. If you don’t have an office or a desk to work from, think about which room you’ll work in. Try to choose a room that isn’t a representation of fun or relaxation, such as the living room or bedroom – and also think about working from an area where you won’t be disturbed.
Work for the Usual Amount of Time
Working from home doesn’t mean you have to be sat in your chair at exactly 9am and not get up a minute earlier than 5pm.
If you find that working the exact same hours works for you, then stick to it – I encourage you to do that.
But if you can’t work the usual hours, schedule your day and, more importantly, stick to it. Don’t slack off just because you’ve got your own comforts to protect you. Working from home doesn’t mean you can work when you feel like it. Plan the night before what time you will work.
Take Regular Breaks
You have so much to do and you’re probably still wondering how you managed to find time to read this.
But working from home is already alien and distracting enough, so you want to increase your creativity with regular breaks from the screen.
Breaks keep us from getting bored and improve focus, so you can stay on top of your workload.
If you’re working for six hours straight, your work quality will pay for it and you’ll get tired and lose attention as a result.
Eat Healthily
You should eat right regardless of where you’re working, but it’s more tempting to eat junk food at home simply because you have easier access to it.
Eat sensible meals and snacks at set times. Start your day with a pint of water to re-hydrate. Eat a healthy breakfast and snacks with low carbohydrates to keep your energy levels consistent.
Don’t Surround Yourself With Distractions
Make a conscious effort to remove yourself from distractions. Everything from the TV and pets, to people visiting.
Don’t open the door to people just because you’re home, and don’t be tempted to put your favourite show on in the background, because that will make you feel like you’re at home to relax, rather than to work.
If you are working when family will be in the house, distance yourself from them for the day. If you’re off work because your child isn’t well, this might be difficult, but generally don’t arrange a day of fun and games.
If your family is at home and there’s nothing you can do about them being there, consider having a ‘do not disturb’ sign on your door, until you’ve done your day’s work.
If that’s not enough – eliminate the distractions with some headphones that block out noise.
Keep Your Work Organised
A disorganised work environment isn’t productive to work in – especially when you have no idea where important paperwork is.
Be prepared to have everything you need at home, in the event that you have to unexpectedly work remotely. You might need to make copies of important documents or at least make sure you have access to online resources.
You’ll feel less stressed if you have an organised workspace. This includes not having piles of paperwork all over your desk and having enough room to feel comfortable in.
Don’t surround yourself with clutter, and this includes non-work-related items. Having your mobile next to your laptop will tempt you to answer phone calls at a time when you generally wouldn’t.
Give Yourself Specific Time to Complete Tasks
Not being in your normal work environment can easily make you fall off track. Timing yourself as a guide to completing work can keep you on track.
You don’t have to be too strict on yourself here, but let’s say you allow yourself 60-90 minutes to finish a task.
You’re more likely to get keep your focus if you have a deadline.
Be Honest With Your Productivity Levels
Some of us get more work done in the mornings, while others are more productive mid-afternoon.
Embrace the opportunity to work from home by working hard during your most productive hours.
Adopt the things that make you work efficiently too – for example, listening to music, or reading inspiring articles. If you’re looking for extra creativity, find what works for you and do that.
Get Out of the House
As you would normally take a lunch break at work, do the same when you’re at home. But have a separate area for eating, to give you some time to recharge your batteries.
You could even take a quick stroll around the block to get some fresh air.
Be professional in your work. It doesn’t matter where you’re located, your work should always be to the best of your ability every single time.
