For some people, working from home is an option as cities and provinces are being placed under lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In these tough times, you have to make adjustments. One of those things is choosing to be productive when working at home. Here are the tips to help you use your working time wisely.
1. Start the day right
Start your day with your favorite coffee, breakfast, meditation, or anything that perks you up. Whether it’s watching a 5-minute video about cooking or searching for the next restaurant you’re going to visit on the weekend, doing something that excites you before you get down to work can be your motivation. But be disciplined enough not to extend it until the start of your working time.
2. Set up your workstation
While it’s fine to have your workstation in your bedroom, chances are high that you will get sleepy especially after lunch. And putting it in the living room where your family members watch TV is indeed distracting. So, work in a place where you can concentrate on your tasks.
3. Dress for work
You don’t necessarily have to wear a necktie. As much as possible, avoid wearing pajamas. Just wear something that can shift your mind to work mode. This will create a sense of working in the office.
4. Create a boundary
There are many possible distractions when working at home. These can be your pet, sibling, kid, parent, housemate, etc. Inform them about your situation so they will understand that they should not interrupt you during your working hours. And that you can connect with them again when you get all things done at the end of the day.
5. Break down your tasks
Be organized at work even if you do it at home. Breaking down your tasks into manageable pieces makes it easy for you to deal with the stuff one at a time. Productive people work smart. This prevents you from being overwhelmed by the whole project.
6. Manage notifications
Your social media accounts can be your distraction. It’s fine to check it during your lunch or a short break. But if you entertain messages from your friends every now and then while working, you’ll lose your momentum and find yourself still working even late at night. You could have spent more time with your loved ones if you had finished your work early.
7. Set a time frame
If you work without a time limit, you will be vulnerable to temptations. You can watch a movie on Netflix in between your work schedule. You can grab your guitar and play it as long as you want to. But if you give yourself a time limit as to when to finish working, you will be productive. And when you’re through, doing your hobby will be more fun.
8. Walk around
When you experience burnout, don’t force yourself to stay at your workstation. You can walk around or even go outside your house to look at your mini garden. You can also relax by petting your dog. It’s not escaping your responsibilities. It’s just your way to recharge. This can also boost your creativity. So when you go back to work after that short break, you are refreshed and ready to deliver quality output.
9. Overcome cabin fever
Working at home can be boring for some people. If you are not an introvert, you’ll struggle with it. That said, don’t be too hard on yourself after work. That’s the time you should enjoy the rest of the day. Watch a movie. Play with your pet. Speak with your sibling. This is why tip number 7 is highly important. That will allow you to have quality time for things that matter to you.
Having a home-based job requires self-discipline. Being able to manage your tasks well even if there’s no boss or client breathing down your neck is integrity. Remember, professionalism is not limited to the office environment. You carry it wherever you work. So, even if you are miles away from your superiors, subordinates, and teammates, delivering great work on time is indeed commendable.
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Photo by Polina Zimmerman from Pexels
