The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is dramatically impacting the lives of everyone. Many businesses are requiring employees to work from home to take extra precautions to prevent spreading the illness. For those who have never worked from home, it can either be a daunting experience or a thrilling opportunity. Some may enjoy working from the comfort of their own home. However, others may find it’s a frustrating experience not having all of the normal office amenities such as printers, phones, or even a proper desk.
Here are some tips from a few experienced work-from-home employees to ensure productivity and a stress-free working environment.
1. Create a to-do list
Creating a schedule and to do list is paramount for working from home. Home tends to have a lot of distractions. It’s too easy to get sucked into doing the dishes, a few loads of laundry, and before you know it you’d rather be lounging on the couch binge watching your favorite show on Netflix. Every morning create a to-do list of everything you’d like to accomplish in your day and stay focused until that to-do list is complete.
2. Keep your work area clear of clutter
Again, working from home can be full of distractions. If you are lucky enough to have a separate room to dedicate to your workspace, that is highly recommended. However, many do not have that luxury and will work in dining rooms, or other shared spaces. Having a clutter-free workspace can have a big impact on your mental focus and clarity.
3. Don’t forget to take breaks
Even though you are at home, allow yourself to take 15-minute breaks. It can be easy to get wrapped into a work zone time warp and all of a sudden you realize you’ve been staring at a computer screen for 4 hours straight. Get up, stretch, and walk around a bit.
4. Lunchtime
Lunchtime is very important, especially if you are the type of person who skips breakfast. Take a lunch break and do not eat at your desk. Health experts agree that it is actually better for your productivity and focus to just give yourself a break and eat. This is also a good time to take a walk around the block and clear your mind.
5. Afternoon crunch time
Afternoons can be most difficult. Social media should be avoided completely, if at all possible, to keep you mind motivated and energetic. Continue to take quick breaks to get up and walk around. Grab an afternoon snack- grapes, carrots, or nuts are all great snack options.
6. Evening wind-down
Once you’ve got your to-do list completed, it’s time to wind down. The best perk of working from home? No rush hour evening traffic! Make a conscious effort to leave your work zone. Having access to all of your work at home can make it easy to check your email and all of a sudden, work through dinnertime and well into the evening hours. Be sure to continue to maintain your work / life balance. Eat dinner with your family, snuggle in and watch a movie, and get a good nights sleep so you feel recharged and refreshed for the next day!
Everyone has their own unique routine and rituals to keep them inspired and motivated. With a little time and practice, working from home can actually be more productive than working in an office. Learn more about remote working in our blog, www.teligentip.com/blog.
Stay safe and healthy!
