The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lot of people to stay home as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. And with the number of COVID-19 cases growing exponentially and many countries are in a state of lockdown. In this nation-wide lockdown, working from home has become the new norm. As several businesses adapt to this new model of remote working, it is crucial for employees to know the best tips to increase productivity while working from the comfort of their homes. Employees are trying to complete their ‘to-do lists’ without a healthy and built-in disciplinary environment of the office, this is not an easy transition. The expectations from the organizations are the same, but for the working group, the environment is not the same.
However, a question is raised – Is this working arrangement a productive one? Well, not everybody is used to isolation and working from home, so when it comes to productivity we have some tips for all the working groups out there. Check them below.
1. Get started early – Pretend like you’re going to the office
When you’re working in an office, your morning commute can help you feel energized and ready to work. And by the time you get to your desk you are already motivated to do your work. But when you are working from home, the sudden transition from your pillow to your computer can be very difficult to get you into work mode. So, wake up early, and prepare yourself as you are going to the office. Take a proper shower, eat healthy breakfast, and activate your brain to ‘work mode’.
2. Plan your day – Keep a to-do list
Just like you used to plan your day or week’s work prior, organize your work daily or weekly tasks. Prepare a to-do list and work accordingly. Challenge yourself to complete those tasks in the deadline set by you. This will help you in tracking your own productivity.
3. Choose your dedicated workspace in your home
One of the perks of working remotely is being able to create a personalized work area in a way you may not be able to at the office. Rather than confining yourself up in your room or couch, dedicate a specific room or surface to work in your home. It is about creating a comfortable yet productive space that will perfectly suit your working style. This will ensure that you’re actually going up to work in an office space than curling in bed working while feeling lazy.
4. Eliminate distractions – Less focus on surroundings
We live in an age of digital distraction. Which means our attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions. And especially when you work from home, it is very easy to get distracted. That is why it is very important to limit anything that will distract you. For example, limiting the use of social media in between your work, limiting the use of phones and TVs.
5. Communicate with your teammates
Staying in touch with colleagues is vital to keep productivity and morale up while working from home. And it is very easy to connect with your colleagues with today’s technology. There are multiple apps that help you in communicating with your co-workers – Skype, Hangouts, and one of the easiest ways of communication: Whatsapp. Follow up your work with them and ask them about their works as well. This will maintain a healthy understanding between you and your colleagues.
6. Schedule your breaks
When you are working remotely, it is very important to take breaks in between. Take your time to recharge so you can more efficiently afterward. Maintain a time daily and take a break during those hours to maintain a balance timesheet that doesn’t affect your work.
7. Log off – No thinking about work after work
One of the most important things to keep in mind is to create boundaries. Just because you are working remotely and have access to work anytime doesn’t mean that you should be logged in 24/7. Maintain a balance between your work and life and if something is left for the day, try to finish it first thing the next day.
Follow these simple steps to be productive no matter where you work from. Keep in mind that during times like these self-care is most important. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. Believe in smart work rather than hard work. Try to play around what works for you and focus on office works during office hours.