22 Essential Work From Home Tips To Maximize Your Productivity
When you work from home, the biggest plus point is the increased flexibility. But this luxury can often turn into a missed opportunity if not handled carefully. Keeping that in mind, we bring you some essential work from home tips you can easily follow at home.
They say work-from-home can be the litmus paper to your productivity. Most people believe that efficiency is somewhere lost due to the comfort that remote work provides. Chahna Baksani, Social Media Manager at The Address, explains how remote work can help boost employee productivity and satisfaction.
The modern workforce, consisting largely of millennials, especially post-pandemic, does not wish to be tied to the traditional 9-to-5 offices. They expect flexibility in terms of both, their work timings and also the location they work from. Empowering your employees with the flexibility of working remotely can thus help them be more productive and engaged at work.
Many would also argue that intrinsic motivation is essential when working from home to complete tasks efficiently and on time.
When you work from home, you are less likely to step out of your home and go through a typical work routine.
You must get your basics right to follow a well-organized routine and avoid compulsions.Here are the 23 tips that will help you get going when you are working from home.1. Get Ready for Your Work Day
What is your favorite outfit when working remotely?
Is it pajamas? If yes, we aren't judging you at all. It's the ideal work-from-home outfit for staying in your comfort zone while still getting things done. And dressing up is something that people do not bother about while working from home.
But that's not how it should be. You must get ready for your work as you usually do. Casual dresses or pajamas are great, and they give you comfort and a sense of freedom. But donning sweatpants may not help you to stay productive if you wear them for 48 hours straight.
Screenshot Source: Twitter
While it is not necessary to dress as formally as you would for work, but simply changing your clothes will signal you to wake up and get to work.
Our brains are wired in such a way that when making a decision, it takes cues from our social and personal outlook. When you dress up for your work, you give the brain a reason for doing it. It's like a natural alarm that can keep you alert throughout the day.
Getting dressed includes all the appearance-based tasks — taking a shower, doing your hair, and minimal makeup. These factors make you look presentable.
Besides, working from home does not mean that people cannot see you. You might be asked to show up for video meetings which are very common these days.
You are all set!!2. Choose a Proper Home office
What is the best thing about working from home? Most probably, the level of comfort you can get by working from anywhere, like the living room or the bedroom.
But do you know that this comfort can come at the cost of lost productivity, focus, and target goals?
Homeworking is convenient for many as they can coop up in their bed or couch. But with our messed up sleep schedules, it becomes really hard to focus or even resist falling asleep.
That way, you can either give in to your lethargy - which is highly demotivating - or decide to come out of the enticement of your typical home setting. The latter is always better and more productive.
Screenshot Source: Twitter
You might sit at any place, start working on your task list, and all of a sudden, a movie or an ad plays on TV. What is your instant reaction?
You turn around and take a glimpse, thus creating a distraction. It is likely possible to happen every now and then if you choose a random spot to work. Distractions in remote working flow in every way.
Therefore, having a particular space all to yourself will do a great deal.
A dedicated workspace will enable you to keep yourself oriented to your work by providing an office-esque environment.
Because in the end, concentration is the key to effective outcomes.3. Install Quality Technology
Working remotely can have its pros and cons.
As much as we love working at our own pace, a poor internet connection or an outdated system can get frustrating.
What happens if you lose your internet connection or your system crashes while attending an important meeting?
It can be a very embarrassing situation that reflects poorly on your professionalism.
Good internet connectivity or a working system are the ultimate tools for remote workers. Just like a poor wifi connection, if your machine crashes and starts disrupting your work every now and then, it can break the momentum.
However, to obtain a strong network or a long-lasting system, it is best to conduct thorough research on the specifications, speed, and price before deciding.
The rules are pretty simple.Do thorough research on all plans provided by the internet providersLook them up on various e-commerce sitesStudy the requirementsGet recommendations from friends and peersGo through with the purchaseInvest in an affordable device from a genuine brand of technology with good featuresMake sure it possesses the latest version of the processor and operating systemKeep it with utmost care
See? It's not that tough now, is it? Just a minute study on the quality of the technology you use at home.
Quality is the pride of workmanship. ~W. Edwards Deming4. Maintain consistent Working Hours
How often do you lose track of time while working from home? Almost every day, right?
When your mind is completely focused on work, you may be unaware of the passage of time.
However, this is an unhealthy practice. Being a workaholic is good, but only during working hours. You should try not to overdo it.
A good work-life balance is a very important factor when working from home. Your personal life is just as important as your professional life.
You should always make a routine of your workdays and working hours, and it has to be prepared so that you can follow it with ease.
You may have days when you need to complete a large amount of work. In that case, you can either request an extension from your manager or extend your work timings for that day.
But doing this daily can be harmful as working overtime can stress you out, both physically and mentally.
Like they say," All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"- do not let yourself become a Jack.Working tirelessly every day past your work hours to meet deadlines and depriving yourself of social life is detrimental. Flexible work hours are what we all need.
It's the simplest rule yet the toughest to follow.Set your alarm for the time one hour before your office hourFreshen up and do the needful before settling in your workspaceBefore going ahead with work, set the timer for the end of your work timePerform your tasks with full dedicationShut your laptop down, as soon as the timer kicks inMove away from your workplace and call it a day5. Eat & Sleep right
One of the perks of working from home is free access to the kitchen. As soon as it is time for breaks, you gravitate towards it to grab snacks. However, this practice does not benefit you in any way in the long run.
Being on a healthy diet is essential when you are a working person. Therefore, you must eat food that helps you function better instead of draining your energy.
When you're at work, you tend to make healthier choices. Eating in the cafeteria or bringing a lunch box makes it easier to make a conscious decision to eat better. However, at home, indulging yourself becomes the norm.
As a result, you should keep yourself in check and be on a good diet.Eat energizing meals for lunch- iron (leafy green vegetables), protein (fish, meat, eggs), and complex carbohydrates (legumes & whole grains)Include fruits, nuts & berries together with some juice in your dietSet daily reminders to drink at least 7-8 glasses of water
Also, one of the most crucial activities which go unnoticed while working from home is your sleep pattern. It might take a toss when you work from home.
Your sleep time often gets compromised between work and binge-watching.
But maintaining a proper sleep schedule is imperative if you aim to deliver the best results. It keeps your head clear.
Save your binge-watching plans for the weekend. And get started with your healthy routine.Go to bed at a definite timeTry to get a minimum of 6 hours of sleepFollow it every day until it becomes a habit
Additionally, when working from home, resist the temptation to oversleep and start your day early.
When you have a demanding work schedule, it's common to have a poor sleep schedule. Try to take short naps if that is the case.
