Working from home is the new normal for millions of people across the globe. For some, it comes naturally and they don’t miss the office at all, while for others it poses different challenges. Here are a few tips for effective remote working.
- Set up a designated workspace.
It doesn’t have to be a whole home office, but creating a separate space for yourself to work in is the first step to differentiating work and home life. Try to create a space where you can focus on tasks without being distracted and set it up with everything you need for a normal working day, such as your computer, phone and stationery. - Get dressed.
This may sound strange, but the temptation to stay in your pyjamas could affect your quality of work. Changing into working clothes will help you mentally switch to work mode. It will also help you distinguish between ‘home working’ and ‘home life’. - Write a daily to-do list.
Set out a list of realistic, achievable tasks to keep you focused. Start with your priority list at the start of your work day. Communicating this list of objectives to your colleagues will also help to keep you accountable. - Know when to step away from your desk.
Be clear about when your working day begins and ends and take frequent breaks to refresh. It’s easy to let yourself be ‘always on’ when your home and office are the same place. When work is over, be sure to switch off to avoid burnout. You could initiate ‘core hours’ during which your colleagues are around.
In summary, there are many ways to optimise working from home so you balance the different compartments of your life. It may take some getting used to, but with the right techniques, routine, structure and support, there can be many perks.
