During this time of social distancing and working from home, you may be at a loss for how to motivate yourself to accomplish your work. It can be lonely without your favorite coworkers, and distracting with noisy roommates and Netflix. It’s a new way of life that we have to adapt to, and it will take some getting used to. However, there are some things you can do to maximize your productivity and enjoy working from home. This is also applicable for anyone who is regularly home during the day and wants to be more productive on projects you may be working on.
- Create a home office. Try to find a “low-traffic” space in your house, preferably outside of your bedroom. Leaving your bedroom for another room after waking up, and setting up a desk space will give you the mindset that you are “going to work”. Try to set up your work space the way that it is the most comfortable for you, whether you can’t focus without tidying up or you enjoy blasting classical music (check out our blog here on how music can be a mood-booster) in the background. These small changes will allow you to jump start your productivity when you show up to your office in the morning.
- Set working hours. Try to work the same hours that you normally would when in office, and stay away from household distractions during those hours. Start early for your best chance at productivity throughout the day. Schedule activities for after work or on your lunch break, as you usually would. You may feel a tendency to work overtime because your work space is easily accessible, especially if you feel that you did not get a lot done during the day, but it’s important to keep boundaries with your work hours and to log off at the time you had set.
- Stay connected. Keep your phone available to stay on top of emails and phone calls to remain connected to your colleagues. Your workplace may be trying virtual video conference calls – download apps like Zoom and Webex to be prepared.
Check out the links below for more great tips on working from home!
Forbes – 9 Tips to be Productive When Working at Home During COVID-19
Hubspot – How to Work from Home: 20 Tips for Telecommuters
