The entire world is facing crisis and we all are stuck at homes. We hope the world recovers soon from this crisis and we can get back to our normal lives. But what about our work, we can’t go to office which is hampering our work and productivity. Thus if we have to increase and enhance our work productivity, we need to make sure we have the proper environment at home to stay productive.
Many people lost their jobs in recent times. Thus if we have to save our jobs, we cannot compromise on work productivity and we must work from home even in such crisis times if we have the proper infrastructure. Although slow wifi or internet connection makes even harder to work from home but still we got to put effort from our end. There can be challenges but we must try to make our home environment congenial for work environment and we can do it in the following ways and stay productive.
#1 Create an office space for your work
This is of paramount importance. You need to set up a space for your workstation just as you have in your office. You cannot sit on a couch or work on a bed. Build a small workspace preferably with all the things needed for a working person. A chair, table with laptop/desktop with notepads, pen and pencil. Get a comfortable chair so you should not lay on couch when you’re bored. Remember your workstation must give the feel of an office workstation. Try to customize and design your space according to your needs. You will be confident and feel like you are in office and be more focused at work.
#2 Dress formally
Although you’re not in office, that doesn’t mean you will dress in casual clothing while working. You cannot get motivated unless you have the proper attire to work. Dress in formals and get to your desk and you will get the feeling that you are in office.
#3 Don’t take too many breaks to stay productive
It is quite natural to take a little break while working from home but if you make this a habit, you’ll not be able to focus on work. Take maximum of 3 breaks during the span of a whole day’s work. At the same time, don’t be so much involved in work that you forget to take any break. That also doesn’t work. Either way you decrease your productivity while working from home. Also don’t forget to take your lunch.
#4 Follow rigid working hours
It is necessary to follow tight working hours and follow them. Don’t overwork yourself. As working from home doesn’t mean working for long hours than the designated time. Working overtime may take a toll on your health. You must keep your personal home time for your family and keep it separate from office work schedule. If you want to stay productive in both ways, you need to maintain a rigid discipline. Completing your task in time and move on to personal family commitments after work.
#5 Clean your workspace
Be your own janitor at your workplace in home. Once you have completed day’s work, don’t forget to clean your workspace so next day you could work in a clean environment.
#6 Avoid Distractions to stay productive
Try to avoid distractions as much as possible. Just like in office, sound of phone calls of your colleagues, gossip of colleagues can be a distraction, similarly at home, there can be many distractions. Always close the door of the room of your working space. Ask your family members or your room-mates not to disturb you while working. I can say, home distraction will be less compared to office. Make sure to close the window if it’s a rainy season as bad weather also turns off our mood. So make sure to open or close the window of your room if the weather is good or bad according to you. A beautiful sunny weather is always refreshing and motivating.
#7 Listen to your favorite music
If music gets you going, then you can tune on the music of your choice. But that should be on your sole discretion as most of the times music can also be a distraction. But some people like to work putting their headphones on. It all depends on the genre of music. Still soft music is considered good for working.
#8 Stay Informed
Keep in touch with your boss, colleagues, co-workers via Skype or phone and get latest updates regarding your task and all activities. Everyone must be busy in their own task. But once or twice in a week, you can talk to them in both professional and friendly manner.
#9 Plan your Workflow to stay productive
You got to plan your work properly. Keep track of all activities completed on a day and plan ahead for the next task so you can always stay productive and not to worry about excessive task. Try segregating a big task into small task and complete each at a time. Thus you will not overwork if you focus on one small task at a time.
Conclusion
If you follow the above steps whether you are an employee or freelancer, you are bound to be productive at home. Strictly avoid bad habits that make you unproductive.
