How to work from home efficiently
Yes, it can be done! So many of us are working from home, more so since the outbreak of coronavirus in Melbourne. Whilst these proactive measures are easy for some who may have worked or studied from home previously, for some it may be a challenge to resist homely comforts and distractions.
While your home isn’t strictly your office, start treating it like one. Equally, don’t feel the need to lock yourself away. Act as you would at work, like going to get a coffee or lunch, walking on your break or socialising with colleagues. As long as you do get work done, and have great communication with your team, working from home doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Here are some tips to ensure you actually work from home!
FIND SPACE TO WORK
If you have a separate study room at home, you’re already a step ahead. Creating a good set-up with a clean desk (a lesson in feng shui!), comfortable chair and good lighting will be ideal for you to concentrate. Avoid sitting or lying on your bed or couch, as your brain will automatically think it’s nap time. (Hang on…) Sit upright and try to use a table that isn’t too low or too high as to avoid straining your back and neck.
LIMIT DISTRACTIONS:
If you ordinarily have your phone with you day-to-day, it’s going to be a rough trot to go cold turkey and skip social media. Do as you normally would in the office, keeping in mind the need to use it for work and sitting on Facebook for an hour looking at memes. At home, avoid putting on the TV or Netflix as it will completely draw attention away from your work.
BE PROACTIVE:
Done everything you needed to today? Ask around for extra tasks that someone may be struggling to complete, or even streamline your online space by clearing and filing your inbox and other folders. Being in a home study environment may help you to learn or touch up on skills and knowledge. Assign time in your diary to perhaps tutor yourself on something you’ve heard in the office but don’t know much about, or the new trending topic in your industry. LinkedIn has made its LinkedIn Learning channel free for those stuck at home. Check it out here.
STRIKE DEALS AND BOUNDARIES WITH PARTNERS & HOUSEMATES
If you’re living with other people, have a discussion about how you’re going to co-habitate as well as all work at the same time. Depending on what type of people are in the house, you may all be able to sit together and work, and not be distracted. Otherwise, try and peel off into different rooms to reduce the chance of spiralling into unproductivity. (More on productivity here.) It can be especially difficult when some work via phone and some online. Have polite conversations about where to take phone calls or web hangout meetings so as to not distract everyone else.
YES, YOU CAN DO YOUR WASHING!
While working from home, don’t feel as though you’re glued to your chair for nine hours. Keeping your home tidy and organised is going to help you feel on top of things rather than having added stressors to your day/week. Set-and-forget tasks like washing clothes, turning on the dishwasher or cleaning up mess are harmless to your work day. You might as well while you’re at home. It will mean you can get up and walk around, as well as making your weekend more free.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
With most of us out of the office, it can be hard to plan too far ahead. Events and regulations have been changing so rapidly that future plans are still up in the air. Plan out days or weeks as realistically as you can. Ticking off accomplishments will make you feel good, and leave more time to move onto the next task.
BREATHE.
We’re in unprecedented times, and many of us have never been forced to live and work indoors so much. Being so distanced from family, friends and colleagues can be overwhelming, frustrating and upsetting. Make sure that you are taking time for yourself to have that stress cry if you need to, purge out your feelings to a friend or on paper, or simply just take time to relax.
BE ACTIVE
Whilst you’re at home to work, try to remain as active as possible. Go on a long walk on your lunch break can split up the day nicely. Eat and drink as normal, but consider what you’re eating if you’re not as active throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water and green tea will help with looking at screens a lot too. Avoid using the waking-up-at-home situation as a temptation to sleep-in. Continue to go to the gym or your fitness class (if they’re open), or try a morning walk or run to get you moving. This means going to bed normally for a good night’s sleep too.