Working from home in the time of coronavirus
Because of the coronavirus situation, many are suddenly finding themselves working from home for the first time. If this isn’t something you’re used to, there’s a chance that you’ll find yourself faced with a handful of obstacles, from your bed inviting you to take a nap to your family members distracting you. For those who are adjusting to working from home (WFH), here are some helpful tips on how you can boost productivity from home.
Find a space that works for you
There’s no doubt that your workspace at home will be different from the one at the office, so it’s important to determine the most conducive area to boost your productivity.
For some, a dedicated workstation similar to their office set up, complete with sufficient lighting, a desk loaded with office materials, and away from beds and couches is preferred. While for others, moving from one space to another throughout the house helps with their efficiency. To each his own, so find one that works for you!
Set work from home ground rules with your family or housemates
You should also keep in mind that you’re not the only person in your place who’s working from home. So if you don’t want to clash with your parents, siblings or roommates, it’s best to align on an arrangement that works best for everyone. You can even work out a schedule with them to ensure that no work time is interrupted.
Don’t forget to take a break - and don’t feel guilty about it
It’s easy to get carried away when working from home, which can lead to hours of non-stop work. Without the usual office interruptions, such as your officemates stopping by for a quick chat or going outside to grab a cup of coffee, it can be easy to remain in the zone and realize that the day has quickly ended.
This can lead to a daily burnout so don’t forget to take breaks! Even a quick 5-10 minute break can make a big difference and can help you boost your productivity! Those few extra breaks can give you reserved energy to use throughout the day.
If you need extra help, you can download Stand Up! or add Break Timer to your Google Chrome extension. Stepping away from the computer briefly can help you refresh your mind and who knows? You might even get a dose of inspiration during your break!
Eat well
Losing track of time is normal when you’re working from home but don’t forget that your brain needs fuel to function properly! Try not to skip meals even when you’re in the zone and don’t forget to eat healthy. Working at home isn’t an excuse to eat all the junk food you want!
Stick to your normal work schedule
Go about your daily schedule the same way as your regular work days. As hard as it may be given the change in your work scenery, it would help your productivity if you stick to your normal work routine. Waking up at your usual time, showering, and dressing up at your usual times can help start you get into the groove of things.
You can use those extra hours saved from your daily commute to squeeze in a home workout, try learning a new dish, or continue working on your passion project.
Start your day with a to-do list
Working from home may involve a lot of distractions, so start each work day with a dedicated to-do list! This can help you focus on prioritizing tasks for the day and help you manage your workload for the week better too!
Ensure those virtual meetings remain productive
Even if you’re not together physically, you can still communicate with your officemates through virtual meetings! Video calls can help you engage with your colleagues better and encourage a smoother flow of ideas - just make sure everyone has a chance to voice out their thoughts! It would also help if everyone has their videos on to retain that personal touch despite being apart.
Set a hard start and stop for the day
Just like any other work day, set a start and end time to your work shift. It’s easy to blur the lines between work and personal time especially when you’re at home, but ensuring you start and end on time will help balance your day properly.
If you need extra help with managing your work from home schedule, you can try out time management tactics like the Pomodoro Technique to help you get through your tasks.
Keep in constant communication with your officemates
Don’t let work from home stop you from engaging with your officemates! Virtual brainstorming with them might just be the solution if you’re faced with a particularly challenging task. At the same time, feel free to regularly communicate with them and spend your break times catching up! Even if you’re not together physically, you can still talk to your office mates the same way you do when you’re in the office.
