While many people initially thought that the remote working trend was just a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of companies have since decided to make it a permanent option for their staff. So, if your employer is giving you the choice to work from home either some or all of the time, you might be wondering how you can optimize your productivity when you’re not in the office. Luckily there are lots of steps you can take to level up your performance no matter where you’re working from. Here are some top tips:
Find the ideal workspace
Your work environment has a huge impact on your mood, creativity and productivity, so it’s worth taking the time to get this part right. If possible, having a home office with an ergonomic desk setup and plenty of natural light is ideal. For those who don’t have this luxury, you could try working in a cafe or your local library. Alternatively, professional co working spaces can provide a perfect productive environment, with free coffee, fast WiFi, and all the office equipment you could need.
Communicate with colleagues regularly
Staying in regular contact with the people on your team is a great way to overcome the possible feelings of isolation remote working can generate. Thankfully, we have all sorts of useful tools at our fingertips to help with this, from video chat software like Zoom to instant messenger systems like Slack plus Google Docs for collaboration. So don’t be shy – send that message, even it’s just to say good morning!
Dress for success
A lot of people are tempted to stay in their pajamas when working from home; however, this can have a negative impact on your productivity. Taking the time to dress professionally in the morning signals to your brain that it is time to work. Likewise, it will be easier to switch off at the end of the day when you change into your casual clothes.
Create your perfect work routine
With no commute or rigid office schedules, remote working gives you the chance to craft a daily routine that truly suits you. Take some time to figure out what times of the day you are most productive and focused, plus how and when you prefer to take breaks (for instance one long lunch break or a few shorter ones spread out across the day). This will boost the chances of you staying motivated throughout the workday and getting all of your tasks done.
Draw clear boundaries between your work life and home life
One difficulty with remote working is that it tends to blur the boundary between work and home life because you are often staying in the same place all day. That raises the risk of working longer hours and can make it harder to switch off when the workday is over. Do not check your work email after a certain time of day – make it harder for you to do so in whatever way you can. Dedicate quality time to your hobbies, socializing, and self-care. This is key for your health and wellbeing, as well as staying productive when remote working in the long term.