Working from home has so far been reserved only for freelancers and has been pretty much out of people’s minds. Simply, the world way not ready for working from home. The fact is that we love to socialize and spend time with people while working. It was somehow the vision we all had in mind. However, in the light of recent events when people were forced to stay at home in quarantine because of the coronavirus, people started wondering how would that work. Well, people are adaptable and learn quickly. We are here to help you out to organize better if this is all new to you. So, let’s dive in!
1. Help people understand your work
Just a while ago, the first thing that would come to people’s minds when the work from home would be mentioned is that it is just sitting the whole day in pajamas and drinking coffee. While some people do sit in their pajamas and drinking coffee, that is far from what else they do. If you want to avoid being interrupted a hundred times a day and being frustrated, then you will need to talk to your family and explain your working hours and that you need to be fully concentrated.
Simply put, create a schedule and place it on the door, if you are lucky enough to have a separate room for an office. This will prevent them from coming to you all the time to ask you things. We all know that productivity drops with the speed of light after every question that someone asks, so do everything you can to prevent that from happening.
2. Get a suitable chair and desk
Considering that you will work every day for at least 6-8 hours, and let’s face it – some days, even more, you will need a comfortable chair and a quality desk to be able to work. Productivity is closely related to the position you sit in. If you are constantly leaned forward and in an unnatural position, you will start to feel the pain sooner or later. You should know that this is an investment into your health because all the experts and doctors will tell you what it means to constantly put the pressure on your back.
In order to avoid this, invest in a good chair that will support your back and the desk big enough for your laptop and all the things that you will need during working hours. If you are not sure how your desk should look, check out this guide theconsumer.guide for choosing a computer workstation. It will help you to make the right choice and improve your posture, so you can be productive.
3. Turn out the notifications
Being a member of Viber groups, getting your notifications from Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, answering emails, and being interrupted by your family member will leave you exhausted at the end of the day. Set your phone to silent mode and let your friends know your schedule, so they avoid calling you during your working hours. This may be weird at first, but it will save your sanity and help you finish the planned work faster.
Every time you get interrupted, it will add up to the time you will spend in your home office. Be strict about the way you handle your time. It is the only way to be able to do anything besides work and actually enjoy every segment of your life. Working from home may blur the lines between work and family time, but it is up to you to handle it as much as possible.
4. Take breaks
The experts recommend taking breaks every ninety minutes to take a walk, look away from the screen, or simply stretch your legs. It is necessary for relaxation, better functioning, productivity but also for getting some new ideas. It will help you to feel refreshed and continue with some new energy. It doesn’t have to last long. It can be five minutes or just a walk to the kitchen to make coffee or tea, to take a glass of water, or to have a snack. Find a way to set a structure, so it is easier for you to deal with all the obligations you have. It is the only way to tackle all the tasks you have.
5. Create a routine that works for you
It is not easy to switch from working in an office to working at home. Even though some people may have told you that this is the time to do what you want, the reality is completely different. You need to follow a certain structure to be able to live a fulfilled life and be productive. If your job allows you, work in the evening or early in the morning, if you are not productive enough during the usual hours.
Every person is different, so take advantage of the period when you feel most productive and work then. You will probably work much faster than when you force yourself to catch up on all the tasks. Set a schedule and try to stick to it. Of course, some flexibility is necessary, but learn to set the priorities, instead of pushing yourself to do everything at once.
These are the essential tips for being productive when working from home. Of course, you will find your own ways to organize your days, but these tips will help you ease yourself into the process and feel proud because you manage to finish everything on time. Make sure you remove all the clutter from your office and your desk. Every little thing impacts our ability to work, so make sure you arrange your working space the way you want to, so you can get inspired and productive. Working from home means that your working space doesn’t have to be conventional. Add a few candles, some inspiring image, a quote, and listen to music when your energy drops, so you can achieve the best results.
