With many of us now working remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to feel that we are as productive and effective as usual. For someone who is used to working in an office, working from home can be somewhat overwhelming. Here are some tips so you can ensure you remain effective and productive whilst working remotely.
Keep Organised
They say that a tidy desk equals a tidy mind; for the most part, this rings true. Ensure that your workstation is organised and clutter-free. Whether you are using a desk or your kitchen table, try to keep it clear and tidy.
At the beginning of your day, make a list of everything that needs to be done, and tick off tasks as you complete them. The satisfaction of completing tasks is a great motivator and will help you get things done.
Set up a Workstation
Whether it’s your dining room table or a home office, set up your laptop, screens and docking station in one place and work from there. Try not to work from you couch or your bed; it’s important to keep a distinction between your work area and the rest of your life, especially when it’s all happening under one roof. Following from this, make sure your screen is at a comfortable height and you have a comfortable chair, so you are not slouching.
Manage Your Time
Although you are not physically commuting to the office, it helps to maintain that mindset. Wake up at your normal time. Use the time that you would usually spend commuting to do something for yourself; make breakfast, do housework or go for a walk to start your day. Keeping a routine is also helpful. Waking up at the same time every day, keeping to your work hours and going to sleep at a decent time will all help your concentration and productivity.
Maintain Boundaries
Taking regular breaks will help to reset your concentration. Make sure that you get away from your desk every now and then, go outside and get some fresh air and stretch a bit.
As well as taking breaks, it is important to distinguish between work hours and personal hours. Set your work hours and stick to them. Use your personal hours to make time for yourself and do something you enjoy whether it’s learning a new skill, cooking a delicious meal or taking a bubble bath. If you are quarantining with your family, remember to make time to spend with each other.
Minimise Distractions
Think about what tends to distract you at home. Perhaps you’re tempted by a sink full of dirty dishes, or you procrastinate because of the sudden urge to bake a loaf of bread, or perhaps you’ve got roommates, family members or children running around. If you can relate to the former scenarios, set a time in your day to do these things. If the latter scenario is a problem for you, firstly, create a physical boundary by closing the door, if you can. Explain the situation to those you live with and the impact it has on your work.
Remember
Quarantine can be a lonely time for anyone. If you feel you are struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the rest of your team.
The guidance above was created to distribute to our team in response to us going ‘fully remote’ and do our part to lessen the spread of Covid-19. While some of it may seem common sense, we felt it important to communicate with our team and you may do so too.
Discover more about our response to Covid-19 here.
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