Working from Home Effectively

Thinking about transitioning from the office to working from home on any regular day requires many adjustments. In the middle of a global pandemic however, there are several additional unique challenges. Many of us are likely dealing with kids home from school, new work procedures, a lack of social events and limited physical activity. For that reason, focusing on self-care should not be an option, but a priority under there unprecedented circumstances. Here are a few tips to help guide you through working from home in the most effective and stress-free way possible:

Create a designated work space

When first working from home, it’s tempting to pick a comfortable spot like the couch or your bed, but this could end up significantly impacting your productivity. Try to work from a desk and chair in a consistent space or room. This will allow your brain to associate your desk with work and not relaxation time. A helpful tip is to create and at-home office space, which may include a comfortable chair, a spacious desk and some of your regular work place supplies. By doing so, you will not only be more organized and confident, but are also likely to feel more alert and energized to work.

Keep consistent working hours

A crucial aspect to working effectively from home is to create a regular schedule with working hours similar to the office. The easiest thing to give into when working from home is the flexibility and it’s tempting to start late, take multiple breaks and lose part of the day. However, this will only end up harming your work ethic. By setting up regular office hours, you are accountable to yourself and your colleagues, it makes it easier to communicate with your work mates and you may even see an increase in your productivity.

Build breaks into your schedule

As important as it is to work hard, our brains also need regular breaks to function effectively. Try to get up and move around during your breaks – grab a drink and a snack or get a quick breath of fresh air. Doing these things will help get the blood flowing in your body and ensure you can then focus on the remaining tasks for the day. To help you follow you scheduled break times, you can set an alarm to remind you when it’s time to get back to work.

Separate work and personal time

A very important working from home tip is to keep your work life and personal life separate as best you can. While at home, it may seem convenient to try and catch up on chores between meetings or turn the TV on for a few minutes. However, without realizing it, you can end up distracted for longer than expected. On the other hand, it may be easy to get carried away by working late or not taking any breaks. By setting clear boundaries between work and play, you can give yourself productive work time but also ensure you have time to unwind and spend with family when work is done.