This is supposed to be the last day of the quarantine period. I think I have spent quite a bit of time working from home. It is not that different from working at the office. When it comes to working from home, it is all about balance and enjoying the benefits of home.
Below are some tips which helped me in the process. Hopefully, these tips will help you get to the groove and optimize your time working out of the office.
Follow the Normal Work Routine
This is the hardest part to adapt. With the technology that enables our bosses to communicate and reach us on a regular basis, we can end up working 24/7 (including weekends and holidays). A 9 p.m. work email/message can wait until the next morning for a response. Know when to log in and log out. If you get into work at 8:30 a.m., then do not log in until 8:30 a.m. Establishing a limit on the hours of work per day is critical to the prevention of burnout.
Establish Boundaries
Do not interrupt one’s family time or social time in order to complete pending works. Take your days off seriously. Working on weekends/holidays is sometimes necessary, but taking time off can do more for your health, especially this quarantine.
Make Sure to Take Time for Lunch, Snacks, and even Breaks
Use a break to go out for a walk or a little chit-chat with your family. Breaks can recharge you for a better job. If you do not have the work-life balance, you will not last too long working at home. Allow yourself to take a much-deserved break; it is a great way to get away from work.
Listen to Music
I am not too fond of silence. For some reason, music motivates me for different tasks. When I need focus, I go for instrumental music. When I am bored, I go for pop or rock or something upbeat.
Find Your Ideal Working Spot
Just because you are not in the office, it does not mean you cannot have an office. It could be an empty room or a spare room. Since most of us do not have the luxury of having a new place to turn into an office, regardless of the space, set up an area that works best. Make sure you have enough natural light, too.
Do Not Work from Your Bed
It is essential to have a distinction between your relaxing space and your working space. This is another killer of productivity. While it may be tempting to stay in bed, you will find yourself sitting in a position that could end up with back pain.
Pretend Like You are Going to the Office
Get up, get out of your pajamas, take a bath, put on nice clothes, and make a coffee cup. With the right mindset, you will be able to get your work done.
Plan on What You will be Working
Projects do take time. Commit to do more than you set out to do. Before the day comes to an end, try writing your next day’s schedule. Having a carefully planned day can help you carry out more of your tasks.
Dive in To-Do List as Soon as You Started Working
It can be challenging to keep track of what you have to do throughout the entire day. Stick to your task list. After each completed task, cross it out.
Stay Connected
Our team makes use of Messenger as our mode of communication. Learn to communicate as much as possible. Do not be afraid to ask questions if further clarification is needed. Make sure that you check in on a regular basis, just as you would in the office.
Technology Enables Remote Work
You must have a laptop (I am using my personal), a decent Wi-Fi connection, and the right software to work from home. Find out what resources your company will be offering and paying for. (Hopefully, my company will reimburse me for these expenses.)
At first, you may find it a bit challenging to get settled. But yes, you are going to adapt in no time.