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Most companies across the world have allowed their employees to work from the comfort and safety of their homes to fight the spread of COVID-19. Working from home is not as easy as it looks and can affect things like productivity, stress among employees, and highlight inefficiencies in processes. For most people, this is an entirely new concept and some might find it extremely daunting or stressful, but you are not alone. We've put together a list to help you make the most of working from home and to increase productivity.
If you want to be more productive and work from home successfully, then you should focus on creating a professional work station. You won't be able to work efficiently if the environment is messy or disorganized. That's why you should create a setup that can give you an office vibe and makes you feel as if you are at the office. Apart from this, make sure that the work area is away from distractions such as the television, the living room, or your bedroom. The ideal set up would be in an area that is well lit, has sufficient airflow, electrical outlets, and a desk to work at. Statistics show that people are more productive working from a desk than from the couch or in their bed.
Making use of a time table is one of the best ways to get things done more efficiently. Working from home is very comfortable but this comfort can reduce your productivity and make you lazy. By creating a time-table, you will know exactly when you have to start your work, how many things you need to do, and when you are going to do those things, giving you a structure to follow. This will also help you manage your time better for your personal things such as taking a delivery or feeding the kids at lunch. Just make sure not to be too lenient on yourself while following the time table. Stick to it and eventually, it will become second-nature to you, making you a pro at working from home.
If you want to be more productive then try not to mix your home duties with your professional work. Working from home can be very distracting as there are many things that you think you need to do at home before you can start working. Using the time table in the previous tip will help you create a balance between work and your household chores and allow you to establish a routine. Try to also reduce the number of distractions by following the first tip highlighted above.
Exercise is another way to stay productive at home and to give you the energy to tackle the tasks you have in front of you. Working from home can be a bit boring because you don't have much to do making you tired and lazy. When you exercise your body releases endorphins that boost your mood and make you feel more energetic. Apart from this, it also improves your posture and saves you from back and neck pain.
You can also write motivational notes and stick them to your working station, so whenever you will feel tired or exhausted, these notes will help you get going.
Choosing what to eat is very important as food can affect your mood, energy, and concentration levels. Eating correctly during this time can have wondrous results on your productivity and keep you energized throughout your workday. Having a balanced diet will also allow you to manage toilet breaks and keep you active enough to tackle your to-do-list. Remember to also establish an eating pattern as a slight change can also have significant effects on your energy and concentration levels.
Time management is an important skill that everyone needs to learn, or make use of, to get things done without wasting too much time. Luckily, there are many time management apps that can help you keep a record of the time you take to complete a task, to track the task left for the day, when to complete them and what their level of importance.
We all tend to work harder when we know we'll be rewarded with something. It's a trick that most people use to motivate themselves to work harder or faster. For example, some people reward themselves with a shopping spree, time away from the laptop, or a snack they've been dying to eat, and so should you. Rewarding yourself for a job well done will stop you from procrastinating, increase your productivity, and motivate you to work. The only suggestion is that you should only reward yourself with things that are healthy and can refresh your mood.
Working from home is not an easy task and if you want to work more efficiently while staying at home, then you will have to be very disciplined in the way you do things. Make sure you establish your working station, create a time table, eat healthily, and exercise on a regular basis. If you follow this guide, you'll be well on your way to working more successfully from home.
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