From lower employee stress and turnover to increased morale and efficiency, there are a number of reasons why companies are choosing to move to a remote workspace. You could be a full time accountant who occasionally works from the comfort of home, or even a freelancer with a home office but there are some common tips we can all follow to stay productive when working from home.
1. Remember exercise breaks
You need coffee breaks as much as the in-office person does. Kill two birds with one stone by incorporating mini workouts throughout the day. It’ll help you think straighter,boost your mood and productivity, and make sure you get enough exercise.
2. Stay in touch with your manager
Communication is key. Let the boss know you are working. Report in with your completed projects or progress with a client. Let them know when something goes wrong. Don’t be forgotten while working from home or fly under the radar.
3. Block out disturbances
It’s not just people in your household that are vying for your precious attention—it’s the entire world. The temptation to procrastinate or spend all day online shopping is very strong when no one’s looking over your shoulder. Carve out space and time dedicated just to working and try to block out any disturbances of any kind.
4. Create a work friendly environment
The best tool for any worker is an environment that lets you focus. For many, that will be a dedicated room with a door (to shut out family members and also close at the end of the day). Also important: the right lighting, desk setup, and noise control. You’ll have to experiment with the most effective remote working setup for yourself, though.
5. Keep lists
Being organized and on task is made simple by managing your assignments and duties over a few lists. Having one list for work from home tasks, one for out of the house errands, and one for things you’ve been meaning to start, or get back to, can be very helpful. Rotate between the lists. If you aren’t getting anywhere on a particular list, switch it up and start another task.