The commencement of the unexpected global pandemic has upturned how we used to work. As a result, more and more companies have adopted a work from home model to adapt to the pandemic.
While most of us have gotten accustomed to working remotely, it is not always possible to remain productive in our homes, where we tend to relax and unwind.
It all comes down to maintaining proper work etiquette, ensuring comfort levels, and taking sufficient time to rest.
We have curated some tips and tricks for you to stay on top of your work-from-home game. Read along to find out!
Setting A Schedule And Sticking To It
When you work from home, the lines of your fixed schedules are bound to get blurry. However, when you went to an office every day, everyone likely had a fixed time and schedule for everything.
The lack of accountability since no one is watching when you clock in and out could also be a factor in why your schedule is going haywire.
We strongly suggest designing a set schedule for your work-from-home endeavors.
- Have a particular time to wake up.
- Make time for your wellness by eating a healthy breakfast, taking a shower, etc.
- Decide a time for you to start working and be consistent.
- Also, have a fixed time to stop working.
- Be sure to include breaks in your busy schedule.
Trust us; this process will help you get more productive while working remotely.
Have A Designated Home Workspace
It might not be possible for everyone to have a whole room dedicated to becoming a home office, especially if you have multiple people in your household.
Choose an area where there is lots of natural light and low distractions. Also, make sure that your designated workspace has plug points and room enough for you to stretch a bit.
This leads you to surf through various best work from home furniture and get confused. Let’s make things easier for you. Opt for a space that makes you feel comfortable but does not let you slouch. Place your working table and chair there.
You can also look for Vaastu tips to ensure that your flow of creativity and productivity does not become stagnant.
Invest In The Right Furniture
If you work long hours, investing in the right furniture will be worth it in the long run. Your bed or dining table chair is not made to work for long hours. This unhealthy practice will strain your back and neck, taking a toll on your spinal and mental health.
Occupational and repetitive stress injuries are on the rise among corporate employees. Consider buying an ergonomically designed chair and desk for your home office setup. Your spine will thank you for it.
You do not have to cough up a large sum for this either. You can buy the best work-from-home furniture online without the hassle of leaving your house.
Get Dressed
As tempting as it might sound, rolling out of bed at the last minute and starting to work in your pj’s will not do you any favors. Instead, you will feel unmotivated, reflecting negatively on your productivity levels.
We understand if you are guilty of slouching on the couch with your laptop in the same pajamas you wore last night. No judgments here. Most people do not bother with dressing up while working from home.
But we say something different. Wake up a little bit earlier than you intend to. Take a shower and open your work wardrobe that has been closed for so long. Then, get ready as you normally would while going to the office and get to work.
When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you work better. It is as simple as that.
Changing your outfit like you are going to work will trick your brain into staying alert. As a result, you will see a difference in your overall attitude and productivity.
Communication Is Key
Communicating properly to your teammates, colleagues, clients, and bosses is paramount in an office. In a space where you and your colleagues are all present physically, communication is not difficult, and often you guys can look at each other to silently communicate. This is possibly the best thing about office culture.
But, remote working takes this aspect out of work, and you need to resort to proper email etiquette to convey your exact thought. In addition, being on calls with your clients and colleagues is a constant factor, so you need to have your phones charged and earphones handy.
Another factor missing from the work from home culture is transparency with respect to the project details and deadline. Ensure frequent and consistent communication between all parties involved to maintain transparency. It is always better to reach out and clarify if there is potential for confusion.
Use Apps to Track Work
A host of apps you can leverage to improve your productivity levels. You will find multiple apps for different purposes, from meeting scheduling apps to time-tracking, team communication, project management, and focus apps.
Time-tracking apps like Clockify, Harvest, Toggle, and to-do list apps like Todoist, Any.do are especially helpful in keeping track of time and staying organized.
You can use Google’s Meet and work collectively through G Suite or Office apps to stay connected. But, most importantly, look for apps that will help you track and manage your work progress. CRM software contains most of the basic and essential apps to help you and your team stay connected.
Make sure you clock out on time and have time for yourself. The pandemic has restricted our outdoor time for sure. But find time to step outside and relax. It could be as simple as taking a walk in the park, watering your plants, or walking your dog.
Wrapping Up
A major section of the world’s population has been working remotely for quite some time now. But the hybrid work model is still a novel idea for many as the mind is often confused about going to the office or working from home.
While people are struggling to bring out their best in their respective fields, it is just getting used to this new way of working. Your productivity levels will rise when you have a healthy and balanced work life. So, aim towards it!
We hope our recommendations to stay productive while working from home have helped you.
