When all your stuff and no colleagues surround you, it can be challenging to refrain from getting distracted and not lose momentum in the workflow. It is easy to get caught up doing the laundry, mopping the floor, or getting to those low tasks on the to-do list. So, what can you do about it?
How do you work efficiently from home?
There is a big difference in how people work efficiently. Here, you will find seven fundamental principles that can help you have an effective days work at home, regardless of how you otherwise thrive best when working.
Get started early and create a good working environment
When you work from home, you save transport to and from work. However, people tend to get started a little later than usual due to the freedom of taking a slow morning.
Make sure you get started at the same time as usual. You could also enjoy the liberty of not having to transport yourself to and from work and start a little earlier. Who knows, maybe you even finish earlier as well?
Make sure to set up a good working environment with a proper chair, work table, ventilation, plenty of light, etc. It may feel comfortable to work from the couch, but it is only a matter of time before your body begins to object.
Schedule your day at the home office
Meetings, deadlines, lunch breaks, etc. By having some fixed, time-bound appointments during the day, you avoid the hours getting mixed up and you spend too much or too little time on certain tasks.
You might also like: The ultimate guide to your home office
Schedule meetings with colleagues
One of the things lost when working from home is impulsive conversations with colleagues, which can help with problem-solving and create a greater connection to the workplace. It is difficult to take this into the home office, so try to schedule some video meetings during the day. They do not have to take long or have a planned purpose, but it gives you the opportunity to “chit-chat”.
Share your calendar with your colleagues
It is a good idea if you and your colleagues keep a public work calendar that everyone can follow. This allows everyone to understand what you are doing in terms of meetings, tasks, etc., as it stimulates conversation that otherwise risks being lost.
Scheduled breaks
Stretch your body and take mental timeouts. You do not get the same natural pauses, when you work from home, why you need to plan your breaks.
Avoid private chores
Vacuuming, shopping, cooking, etc. There are lots of things that are tempting to fix around the house. Our advice is that you should concentrate on work and postpone the chores. If not, time runs out, and your day can become stressful when you have to compensate for the time you spent washing clothes.
When the work is over
You need a clear line between work and leisure time. It can be stressful and unfulfilling if you consistently have one foot in each mode.
