With an increasing number of coronavirus infected countries, more and more companies are implementing work from home to halt the spread of COVID-19. Though the things wouldn’t make any major change in the working policies as the employees are supposed to be as productive as they were with their office resources and routine.
Working from home also requires having a space or a room where you can work effectively without any distractions. Thus, many invest in building their home offices. In Australia, renovations deemed important in your home office can be filed under your tax deductions. It’s best to check what you can file under home office that can help you create a conducive workspace at home.
While work from home sounds luxurious and convenient, it’s definitely different from paid leaves, of course, it isn’t a company holiday. Because every job has a unique concept thus the level of productivity may vary between profession types, companies and internal rules & regulations, but there are some similarities when it comes to being productive and getting your task done progressively. If the term of telecommuting is new to you then here are some useful tips on how to make work from home easy and fun from the bag of people who have successfully managed to work from home for decades and from our own dedicated housekeeping editors and managers who are working remotely without letting anything affect their productivity amid the coronavirus outbreak.
1) Stick With a Schedule
We know, things change with the time and responsibilities, but just because your superiors are not around and you are not going to the office doesn’t mean there won’t be any morning preparation. Nothing will change, no one else will manage your task besides you therefore either convince your mind or else but make sure your train is on track. Wake up at the usual time, shower, and get dressed well (Not Pajamas or boxer shotrs!). It will sound inconsequential, but this is the only way to mentally prepare yourself to do your daily task well and get yourself on “I’m going to office” mode.
It will help in scheduling your time in case you get manipulated by your unconscious mind. If you typically work for nine hours, then do the same at home, even if it’s better with your favorite Mumma’s diet.
2) Switch to a Customized Workspace
Although, it feels like home while being a couch potato, but this is now what your HR manager has told you. People who have successfully worked remotely have admitted that workspaces have the best seating module. If you don’t have an office table, then you can use your dining table. Besides creating an official environment, it helps you maintain a better posture, avoid interruptions, and do you work till late nights.
3) Walk and Talk
Besides several health issues, sitting all day is bad even if you’re in the office as well, but things change while working from home. You can skip communication and have a few reasons to leave your table (not recreation with your buddies!) and you can buy a standing table if you prefer to be on your feet, but make sure you take a break there too for stretching up.
If you’ve a call then you can leave your table and have a walk in your balcony or just walk and talk. Though it may vary from your career type and workload, it will have some great benefits to your overall health.
4) Go! Get Some Light or Fresh Air
Since the authorities advise not to contact people having symptoms of COVID-19 or who may have a viral infection and most multinational corporations are requesting employees stay home, you are likely to be indoors for hours. Open your window or set your table near a window or balcony and let in as much fresh air and sunlight as possible, and go terrace if you reside in a less polluted area — and wash your hands frequently even if you’re at home.
5) Be Ready to Cook
You may be in an ‘I have nothing to eat’ situation, most of the time, especially if you live alone and end up finding some energy bars in the name of snacks. While you don’t need to make stock, just keep some fruits and chocolates, boiled eggs, cut up vegetables, high protein as chicken breast or whatever you love in your house. You can add these Superfoods to boost your immune system so that you will be working longer.
6) Stay in Touch With Your Colleagues
Of course, you will be working in a team either as a team leader or a team member, so it is your job to ensure check in regularly just like you were doing in the office. Create a checklist and keep yourself focused and organized. And submit your report, just like you would in the office so that you superiors will get an update of your work. Besides email and Skype you can get on some useful tools for work from home on the boards to make things hassle-free.
Read more: 5 Effective Tools for Remotely Working People
7) Get Ready to Be Multitasking
This may seem like time management to mashup things together, but while working from home, you cannot neglect these things too. It’s easier to get distracted than you’ve expected. Shon Gorge, editor-in-chief of the goodwill housekeeping management, says now’s not the time to be specific about any situation or start with a load of laundry.
“You can take a break, there’s nothing wrong with this, but don’t let these things interrupt your productivity.” Always keep in your mind that you wouldn’t be here if you were there in the office. And the same goes for all other things that may hinder your work from home and end up having a heavy workload on your head. If you’re having a meal at the office, then do the same while working remotely and don’t let yourself be stuck into meal prep. Chances are you don’t binge-watch Netflix at the table either, so try not to do so, even if just a creepy voice.
Read more: Tools to Monitor Productivity while Working From Home
These are some suggestions from top CEOs that spent years working remotely. And yes, if you’ve children, then get ready for the disruptions. While social distancing may not be a good idea with your family therefore do help where you can because it’s slightly tough to take eyes off from your responsibilities while at home but don’t let your productivity crash at the same time. Here is how to maintain a healthy work life balance while working from home.
