During lockdown, working from home is becoming a trend which is here to stay, at least for the near future, so working productively from home is a skill that most of us must master. Here are some tips to help you become more productive:
1- Dress for success: Although wearing PJs can be tempting, getting physically ready for work gets you psychologically in the right mindset for work. You’ll also be ready to handle any kind of video chat.
2- Find a quiet place: Try to create a little office for yourself. It is important to avoid sitting on sofas or beds when working as this can shift your focus.
3- Have a plan: This is the secret to get work done. Prepare a check list and be realistic about what you can fit in and actually complete.
4- Stay connected with your co-workers: Whether through messages, emails, calls or meetings, take the time to stay in touch with your team regularly. Be mindful under the circumstances, messages can be easily misinterpreted.
5- Take breaks: Your productivity reduces immensely if you work for hours straight. Have a snack or lunch and stretch regularly to maintain great posture.
6- Stay off Social Media: Social media can eat up a lot of your time if you’re not careful. Get familiar with your company’s social media guidelines before engaging in those channels.
7- Avoid Family, Friends & Pets: While this might be challenging especially if you have young children at home, it’s best to set some clear boundaries with your family while you work.
8- At the end of a Day of work, Wrap up and plan for the next day. Before you completely sign off, jot down your top three priorities for the following morning. This will keep you centered on what matters most (and help you know how to kick off the next day with your best brain).
To punctuate the end of the workday, prepare yourself a nice tea, gather with your family or have a video chat with friends, watch TV or do whatever else you’d look forward to after a day of work. It’s great to have specific fun activities planned for some of your evenings.
You can have so much power when it comes to designing your day. Having even a rough outline like this to guide you will help you enjoy working from home more, help you get way more done, and make this social distancing situation more tenable.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that social distancing won’t last forever. And even amid the chaos of our current crisis, you can create order of your own.
#IPT_HereForYou