Keeping Productive When Working From Home: Working from home has become increasingly popular over the last few years, with many believing it is one of the few pandemic-era trends that remains in place. Even though the majority of the workforce doesn’t work from a remote location, the number of people who do has nevertheless increased considerably from five years ago, settling higher than pre-pandemic levels. As the tech infrastructure needed to support remote workers has continued to evolve and become increasingly accessible, both employees and companies have come to realize that it makes sense to adopt this flexible model.
There are also several different advantages to working from home. Employees feel like they have more autonomy over their work environment and schedules, many think that their work-life balance improves exponentially, and the fact that they also save money (by not having to worry about transportation or building a new office-appropriate wardrobe from time to time) is definitely a bonus. However, some people have also found that they end up struggling to maintain the same productivity levels. Becoming sidetracked is common, especially when working from home, as there are numerous household tasks and chores that can divert your attention throughout the day.
If you’ve been struggling with this and want to find the best ways on keeping productive when working from home, here are a few of the things you should do.
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Keeping Productive When Working From Home:
Settle into a routine
The concept of having a routine is frequently (and erroneously) maligned in public discourse, as many believe it causes stagnation, prevents you from moving out of your comfort zone, and fosters unhealthy patterns in your life. However, bringing structure to your daily life is not just a positive thing; it is something everybody needs. Having a reasonably predictable structure to your day allows you to decrease your cognitive load and free up your mental energy for tasks that are much more important. Despite what some may believe, having a routine can also help you become healthier.
When you have a routine, you’re much more likely to get better and more restful sleep, be more productive, and have higher energy levels. Increased productivity stems from the fact that you will feel encouraged to take daily actions more seriously and the fact that you will become better at managing and organising your days. Having a distinctive morning routine that involves waking up at the same time each day, having breakfast, and perhaps some light stretching, as well as going for a walk or spending time with your pets, can signal to your mind that you’re transitioning from the home environment to the workspace.
The designated workspace
The room or area where you work should be officially designated as your designated work area. The main characteristic you should look for when choosing this spot is that you will be able to carry out your tasks comfortably from there, without worrying about distractions. If you find yourself standing up to check what’s going on and having to put your work on hold several times per day, it’s best to relocate somewhere else. It’s essential to have self-imposed boundaries if you want to get work done when you’re at home, and everyone else who lives in your household should know that your home office is off-limits during working hours.
Staying organised will also help you focus. This can be much more challenging than you imagine since our homes are connected to the places where we can relax and unwind in our minds. Structure and strict order are not the characteristics you imagine when you think of home. However, keeping things clutter-free and finding efficient storage options is a must. Your digital files should be kept in order at all times in order to ensure your processes are streamlined. Using an encrypted email is the best choice for the work environment, where compared to standard providers, these services don’t scan your emails and data to create a profile of you that they can use later.
Encrypted emails are also free from ads and offer the highest standards of privacy, ensuring that your data is protected by some of the strictest privacy laws in the world. These services are also independently audited for security.
Free time
Having a routine and eliminating distractions are two key pillars of productivity, but knowing when to take a break is also essential. However, during your break, you should refrain from spending more time in front of a screen. Instead, try to take a short walk outside. The fresh air can help you recharge and return to your tasks feeling much more energetic. Being outside can also decrease stress, so if you’re having a difficult day and need to step away from your computer to get some perspective, this can be exactly what you need.
Taking time off is part of this category as well. Even if you don’t feel tired, it is important to go on vacation from time to time and rest well. Spending time with your friends and family, travelling, and focusing on your hobbies are all very important. Even when you love your job, never taking breaks can cause you to end up dealing with burnout, a situation you definitely want to avoid.
Talk to your colleagues
Working from home can feel somewhat isolating sometimes, since you are on your own and only rarely meet your co-workers face-to-face. Using video conferencing platforms can help tremendously in this regard, and you should see your co-workers this way at least once a week. Seeing each other and communicating verbally will foster better communication and interpersonal relationships, so that your collaborations are more effective, too. Scheduling the video conferences ensures as many people as possible can make it and join the conversation, so that you all remain connected and avoid the feelings of isolation.
To sum up, working from home can have several advantages, but you must also put in some effort to create a routine and habits that will enable you to remain productive. Avoiding workplace stress is crucial, but you must still complete your tasks. Not doing so can even leave you dealing with feelings of low self-esteem and scrambling to get a hold of things, but the solution is to start things slowly and ease yourself into daily habits that help you out.
