Our work culture has changed a lot lately. From rushing in queues to catch the first bus to waking up on time to attend the briefing, covid-19 has strengthened the base of remote work culture.
The transition took place suddenly, sparing no time to prepare for remote working. Or to think about the strategies required to perform in an only-online environment.
Making a home office comes with its own set of complications. Every individual working remotely needs to figure out when to start working and create boundaries between work and personal life. The issues we face solely depend on each person’s personality and work field. However, we should address some common problems.
Here are 11 tips for leading a more productive and better work-life.
Tips for working from home effectively
1. Uphold regular working hours
Make a plan and abide by it, at least most of the time. By strictly following the guidelines for when to begin and when to end, WFH employees can maintain work-life coordination.
The high point of remote working is flexibility when the job asks for it. Some days you need to extend your shift or start early to compensate for a team member’s absence. When you do this, try to finish early or hold back a little longer the following day to make up for the stress.
Automated time tracking applications can also help you check whether or not you are sticking to your schedule. Time-mapping applications are another savior in determining when an individual is most productive and when they slack off. These insights will help you understand the pace of your work pattern and schedule it accordingly to boost your productivity like never before.
2. Onboard your flow with your morning schedule
Sitting on your work desk with a drool-covered face and scheduling your work are two different things. The latter one here should always be employed for better productivity. So, for a fresh start, get onto your morning regime. Follow any morning regime you want, but make sure you are consistent and dedicated!
A schedule can drive people more than a clock. So, make a ritual that can help you start your day with a fresh and happy mood. Like you can make a cup of coffee and start your day. Or begin your day with a stroll down the lane or practicing your favorite instrument. Anything that calms you will work!
3. Designate your workspace
Maintaining a work-life balance is one of the toughest challenges of the WFH work culture. And not balancing it off will take a hit on your personal as well as professional lives.
Staying in the same loop can cost you your efficiency and productivity. Be it focusing on a presentation or handling the household chores, know when to transition for healthy living.
Many people will avoid this by saying they reside in 1RK; how to effectively work from home now? You don’t need an extra room for a home workspace. A designated corner will do the thing.
4. Define your working hours
When you separate your residence office from your home, you must also define your working hours. Again, be clear when you will work and when you will call it a day.
Make this procedure simpler by syncing with your team members’ working hours. It is an effective way to carve out work after working hours are over. The main difference between WFH and office work culture is that employees are in charge of their space. It presents a huge responsibility that comes with proper awareness. You can’t overdo it to perform better.
If you’re working extra hours because you are free in the evening, realize your mind needs rest to perform better.
5. Stay motivated with a do-to list.
A simple list can work like a charm to keep you motivated and organized during the WFH period. When you create your list, look onto bigger long-term goals as well as smaller goals. By achieving small goals, you will be more focused on achieving the bigger ones. In addition, knowing that you are progressing brings positive reinforcements. Plus, the work is much more doable when it does not need huge efforts at once.
Having it all in the head might not help every time. Instead, try to pen it down or type it on your notes to make it stick in your memory. Keep your to-do list on your working desk so that you can make informed decisions to accomplish your goal.
6. Create transitions in daily life to stay focused
Just because you are not traveling anymore doesn’t mean you will ignore similar routines to cope with your work day.
Most people usually plug into music or read a novel while they are on their way to work. You can switch up with family time or play with your pet. Indulge in morning workouts for health benefits along with a focused state of mind.
Finishing a huge presentation and directly moving on to your dinner chores doesn’t sound exciting. If you are juggling work and home constantly, it’s high time you start taking breaks to avoid a nervous breakdown.
So, find a stress buster like pursuing a hobby or reading books to keep you distracted from work-life issues.
7. Communicate as much as possible
Communicate, communicate, communicate! It is the mantra for a successful WFH transition. The sudden shift to WFH work culture needs constant communication to thrive. The only way out here is to communicate with your reporting coordinator and manager at all times.
Make a plan that lays out all the expectations of remote working like assigning work, updating on progress, and more. Few text messages and emails are not enough for workplace communication. So, check in with your manager and colleagues over video conferencing and voice calling. The more you interact, the fewer problems you have. Keep your entire team updated with every tiny piece of information.
8. Mind ergonomics
Use a comfortable chair with full back and neck support. Crouching pressurizes the spinal area, affecting your posture. You might wonder how to work at home effectively while maintaining health?
The answer to this is a proper seating arrangement that offers back support to align the bones. It will help you to survive long working hours. But, do not turn your couch into a work desk. It might appear comfortable, but staying in a vertical position can lead to sudden muscle numbness and distress.
If your job profile includes calls throughout your work time, investing in a hands-free headset is the least you can do.
9. Make friends with quality technology
Working from home has its own good and bad. No matter how comfortable the work environment is, a poor internet connection or outdated device can be frustrating at times.
In this scenario, installing a quality wi-fi connection will do the work. Next, look for affordable yet faster internet service. It will require some research on the plans but will surely save you from workspace embarrassment.
Getting the latest version of the device (laptop) to prevent lagging can be a smart move too. With improved specification, multi-tasking will be possible without any technical issue. Plus, you don’t risk your data for forgery.
10. Follow a personalized eating plan
You might question the relevance of this point with how to be better at working from home. Growling stomach is incompetent to bring out brilliant ideas. So, to prevent this situation, follow a personalized eating plan. First, plan your meals and snacks. What to eat next must follow with a solution. This way, you can watch out for your weight and offer high productivity to your firm.
Staying full prevents hunger-driven work decisions. Low glucose levels can impact mood and build up aggression. So, don’t even mind sneaking a bar while working. Avoid having lunch on your work desk; prefer it with your family. This simple habit enhances the quality of a relationship. Heartfelt laughter with family releases dopamine, which will help you re-focus on your work.
11. Take breaks during work hours
Scheduling breaks in between work hours relax the mind. Unfortunately, it is common for people to skip intermittent stretching in the residence workspace. So, set up an alarm for every hour to remind you to stretch and walk around your desk.
As you might end up getting everything on your desk, does it obstruct your physical movements? If yes, change this habit asap, try to walk while you talk, and use wearables to track your daily steps.
Do not stare at work emails while having lunch. Instead, take a lunch break of at least 30 minutes to give enough rest to your mind. It will help you feel fresh and add more value to your work.
To sum up
While you might miss working in the office due to the inability to meet your colleagues, it can be good for you to work from home.
For example, you don’t have to get up and run for your daily commute. Plus, you get more time to spend with your loved ones. The above-mentioned tips for successfully working from home can help you transition into the WFH work culture easier. Try out these and see how productive you can be in a home workspace.