The spread of the coronavirus has affected the world order and we’ve had to find new ways to do things in order to survive the global pandemic. Aside from international travel, COVID-19 has also affected how businesses operate. As opposed to reporting to an office, workers have been forced to adopt to working remotely to maintain social distance.
For someone who has never worked outside the office, staying productive while working from home can be quite a challenge. Even students have been forced to study and do their exams from home. Luckily for them, online academic writing assistants like Pro Essay Writing ensure they master complex concepts in time for their final exams.
So how do working adults carve a suitable working environment at home? This can be quite challenging especially for parents who also have to be there for their kids every minute of every day.
While many have fantasizes about working from the comfort of their sofas, it’s not as easy as it seems. Since we all associate our home’s comfort with taking a break from work, being productive becomes an uphill task.
Working remotely is a double-edged sword; sure, you get the freedom to decide when to work, but it can be hard to focus on the task at hand because there are so many distractions. Since your boss will not be checking on your progress every few hours, you have to master the discipline to meet all your deadlines.
Here is how you pull off working from home.
1. Create a Home Office
Location plays an essential role for remote workers, especially in a household with many people. Find a dedicated spot at home where you can concentrate on work without any distractions.
Rather than trying to work on the sofa where everyone else is lounging, find a comfortable and quite room that simulates an office. It helps if you have a home office because the environment tricks your mind into believing you’re away from home and all its distractions.
When you start working remotely, it will feel lonely to be in an office alone, but you’ll get used to it with time. You can always take breaks to refresh your mind before getting back to work. Remember not to overwork yourself simply because you’re not reporting for a 9-5. Create a reasonable working timeline that allows you to catch up with family and friends.
2. Find a Buddy
As a remote worker, you don’t have to always work from home. You’re allowed to find suitable working environments outside your house that keep you focused on your work. Consider finding a buddy to work with so you don’t have to feel lonely during work hours.
Working with a goal-oriented buddy allows you to be productive. Being in the presence of a hard-working remote worker gives you the motivation you need to meet your deadlines. Ensure you choose a buddy who can be quiet for hours on end because chit chat can be quite derailing.
Once in a while, leave the house and try working at a local café, or at your local library so you’re not always isolated. To maintain a healthy mental state, you need to create time to socialize. Being along for long periods at a time can end up in anxiety, or worse, depression.
During your work breaks, you can make calls to catch up with friends. Sometimes, all you need is to hear someone’s voice to feel less lonely. Talk about your feelings with a friend you trust to avoid overthinking or living in your head.
3. Have a Plan
To be productive while working remotely, you need to have a structured daily schedule. Building a routine helps you complete your tasks in time to take a walk in the evening or go to a friend for dinner.
If you’re just starting to work from home, you need to find a smooth transition from having your day all figured out to determining what you’ll do with your day. Unlike 9-5 jobs where there are unspoken rules that govern your actions, remote work requires you to formulate a new routine and stick by it.
When you work remotely, much of the normal structures you had gotten used to will be lacking. You will now have to learn how to be okay with planning your day and following through.
Ensure you don’t end up overwhelming yourself with work in the name of staying productive. Taking a break to take your dog out for a break or walking to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee will not hurt.
Wrapping Up
Achieving productivity while working from home requires you to be disciplined. You need to establish a routine that will help you meet your deadlines. Remember not to overwhelm yourself with work in the name of being productive. Taking breaks throughout the day will keep you focused on the task at hand.
