A lot of us are working from home right now. Even after the covid-19 pandemic is over, many companies are likely to continue remote work. If you’re having trouble getting things done, you’re far from the only one. Home can be a noisy, distracting place. You might find it harder to stay focused if you’re not at the office, surrounded by coworkers. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips to help you stay productive while working from home.
Make sure your workspace is comfortable
If you don’t have a good place to work, you probably won’t be very productive. Set up a dedicated workspace in your home. Depending on your needs, you may want to get yourself a nice desk or comfy chair. If you find yourself with a sore back or wrists, you may want to look into ergonomic desks and chairs. Making sure that your computer is at eye level and that you have good posture can also help alleviate eye strain and back problems.
Find a quiet place to work
Home can be a noisy place. Your kids might not be old enough to understand that they shouldn’t make noise while their parents are working. Even if they do understand, they might not always listen. Just because you don’t have children doesn’t mean your home is quiet. From barking dogs to construction, there are plenty of noisy distractions outside. If you want to be productive, it’s best to minimize noise in your workplace.
It can be difficult to keep children quiet, so it’s best to put some distance between where you work and where they play. This is easier for those who live in larger homes, but going into another room and closing the door can make a difference even if your home is small. To minimize outside noise, make sure to close the windows. If possible, try to avoid rooms that are facing the street, as they tend to be noisier. Despite your efforts, you may still find that your home is a much louder place than the office. If finding a quiet space to work feels like an impossible task, consider getting a pair of sound canceling headphones. Since they’re necessary for work, you may be able to get your employer to cover the cost or use them as a tax write off.
Dress like you’re at the office
You might be tempted to work in your pajamas. As cozy as that sounds, it’s best that you don’t. You’re more likely to be in the mindset to get work done if you wear the clothes you usually wear to the office. If you wear your pajamas all day, you’re likely to end up falling asleep. While a quick nap may be refreshing and help you be more productive, you’re probably going to end up lounging around if you stay in your sweats all day. Furthermore, if you have to get on a video conference call, it’s bad manners to not dress appropriately. You should at least put on a dress shirt, but it’s a good idea to wear nice bottoms too. In Japan, you might end up having to bow. Even if you’re working in parts of the world where bowing isn’t customary, you might have to stand up to grab something during your call. You don’t want to end up showing your pajama pants to your boss when you do.
If you aren’t assigned a schedule, create one
Some workplaces require you to work during certain hours even if you’re working from home. Other places are more hands off and let you work whenever you want. If you work for a more hands off company, consider creating a schedule for yourself. Making a schedule and sticking to it is a great way to make sure you complete tasks. Working during the same hours as you would be at the office will help you feel more like you’re at work. Setting a schedule can also help keep you from working too hard and accidentally putting in overtime. Of course, not everyone can create a regular work schedule for themselves. With the kids at home too, you might have to make lunch or help with online school. If schedules don’t work well for you, check out other tools like checklists or calendars to make sure you’re staying on top of your goals.
Stay Connected
Feelings of isolation and loneliness can take a toll on your productivity. You were probably seeing your friends and family regularly before the pandemic. Make sure to keep in touch with them. Send mail, talk over video calls, and regularly exchange messages. This is especially important to do if you live alone. But even if you live with family, it’s good to socialize with other people on a regular basis. Maintaining friendships is important and will help keep you sane.
Make sure you’re staying in touch with your team at work as well. If you’re in a management position, make sure to check in with the people you’re supervising. Staying connected to coworkers is important even if you aren’t leading a team. Make sure to check your email and work related messages on a regular basis. Pay attention during virtual meetings. Don’t multitask while you’re on a Zoom call. Working in complete isolation isn’t fun. While we can’t see our coworkers in person, we can stay connected to them via the Internet.
Take breaks
Working too hard can lead to burnout and negatively impact your productivity in the long run. Looking at a computer screen for hours can make your eyes and head hurt. Make sure to take a break so you can rest your eyes, eat some nourishing food, and stretch your legs. If possible, go outside and get some fresh air. Set some time aside for regular breaks when you make your work from home schedule. It’s hard to concentrate and get work done with sore eyes and an empty stomach. Your tired eyes will appreciate it, and you’ll probably end up getting more work done at the end of the day.
