In the wake of the pandemic, working from home has become the new normal. With distractions around the house, one might think working from home beyond a certain point isn’t as exciting as it may sound.
There is a great deal of difference between a regular office environment and a WFH environment. The bright side of remote-working is that you save a lot of time on the commute, especially in traffic-congested cities like Bangalore, and get to spend more time with family. The downside to the situation is that it can be challenging to give your work the undivided attention it deserves, thus impacting your productivity. Also, most times, you often work way more extra hours than you usually do in the office and stress yourself out.
So, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
Start early!
An early start can help you get organised for the day ahead. Fixing a morning routine will have a significant impact on how you work for the rest of the day. Working-remotely means you save time on your commute – so make use of this bonus time to sweat it out and start the day on an energetic note! After all, endorphins can make a huge deal of difference in how you feel! Starting early will also allow you to beat your distractions and structure your day before you are swamped with things to attend to. How you begin your morning will set the tone for the rest of the day – so do it right and do not forget to make yourself a nourishing breakfast.
Dress up!
Sweat pants and pyjamas can be quite tempting while you are working from home for an extended period of time. However, according to experts and psychologists, the clothes we wear often influence our mood. Wearing fresh clothes and dressing up a little can enhance your energy and productivity throughout the day. This is also the perfect time to experiment with your look without having to worry about going wrong!
Take breaks!
While working from home, taking multiple breaks is crucial to preserve your sanity. Staying away from your computer for at least 5 to 10 minutes every 2 hours is absolutely necessary to clear your head and stay more focused. Studies show that your performance deteriorates the longer you have to focus on one specific task for an extended time. So, switch off and let your brain relax a couple of times (or more) a day!
Set boundaries!
Working from home should never be synonymous with either not working at all or working all day and night! Make sure you clock about 8 to 9 hours every day as you would have in an office environment. It is necessary to set your schedule and stick to it to ensure your work doesn’t bleed into your personal life and vice versa.
Bonus tips!
- Never try working from bed! Lethargy sets in.
- During times like this, your colleagues and managers can be edgy. Calls, messages and emails can reflect the edginess. DON’T RUSH TO RESPOND. Sit back, relax, think and evaluate your response.
- Last but not the least, be kind to yourself!
