Tips for Working from Home and Staying Sane
It has been nearly a year since we were first introduced to COVID-19 that has since changed the entire world. Until a cure for this strange pandemic is found, we will continue to practice social distancing, which for many people means working remotely. If you find yourself struggling to work effectively from home or you are about to join the ranks of those who are working from home, then you have to try these tips for working remotely and in an effective manner.
Plan and Stick to a Work Routine
When you are home, there is no boss looking over your shoulder, but that does not mean that you should not get to certain goals. To maintain your regular work routine, start the mornings the way that you did at work: set an alarm, take a shower, brush your teeth, have coffee and breakfast, and do every other thing as if you need to be at the "office" at the same time every day. After you get some work done, have lunch, and a break at the same time you would do at work. If you have a more dynamic position, plan each day upfront, and stick to a routine. It will help you be more productive with your time and work assignments.
Find Floccule Points
If you find it hard to sit at home and concentrate as you did in the office, find things that can help you focus. Turn on soothing music, get a white noise machine, write down notes, and anything else that can help you focus without feeling antsy.
Maintain a Social Life
Yes, if you are practicing social distancing, it can be difficult to maintain a social life, but not impossible. Working from home and making it your office can be difficult, which is why you need a work-life balance. Once you finish your assignment, turn off the computer and start your afternoon; you can video chat with friends, watch TV shows and movies, go out on walks, play video games, and do anything else that will separate your work hours from your social and resting hours.
Communicate with Coworkers
Aside from formal remote meetings via Zoom or other apps, you should also communicate with your coworkers. Human contact, even if it's from afar, will help you reduce stress levels and focus on your work more easily. So, when you are working remotely, make sure to check in on your coworkers from time to time and have water cooler conversations from a distance. It will do wonders for you.
Get Comfortable
It is imperative that you feel comfortable when working from home, which is why you need to make sure that you are comfortable; get a good chair for your back, a table to work on, handy supplies, and whatever else makes you feel at ease, both physically and mentally.
Dress Up for the "Office"
Yes, pajamas are comfy, but they set you in a lazy mood, and that is not very productive. You can spend some days in your P jays, but not all of them. After you finish your morning routine, put on some nice work clothes, and get to work. It will put you in a working mindset, and make you feel good as opposed to slackish, as you would with pajama.
Get Feedback on Your Work
If you want motivation to stay productive, ask for feedback from your superiors from time to time. You do not want your boss to accumulate complaints about your remote work, so make sure that everything is alright on both ends. Ask your superiors to have periodic talks about performance and expectations to be certain that everyone is on the same page and know what you need to do to be productive.
Working remotely is not easy; you have distractions at home, no people to talk to, and a completely different setting than usual. To work from home and be productive, you need to do certain things that will make your home as close to an office environment as possible. Just make sure to take breaks from time to time to cool down and regroup before you get back to your computer and start working away.
