Managing Working from Home- 5 Productivity Tips

For many, work from home has been a part of their careers/business since the internet made its way on the scene. For others, the global pandemic in action is making work from home a very new reality. It’s happening and happening fast. 

Many employers are scrambling to keep businesses in action and available for clients and customers, and so- they may or may not have sent their workforce off with organization tips. This piece is dedicated to just that; a crash course to making sure that all of those having to work from home- are organized and ready.

Setting up a Designated Workspace 

It is very important to have a space that is dedicated to your work. Having a designated workspace is one key recipe to work from home success. Working from the bed, couch, or poolside doesn’t work for everyone. Though, everyone does work and spark creativity differently. 

Many people that work from home, even those that have been doing it for years, find that a dedicated workspace works best. A designated workspace is usually away from others, away from family spaces. This way, you can focus and maintain maximum productivity- but- everyone doesn’t require this. 

For others, working in teams works best and so, the noise of the team is the fuel they need to get things done. Someone like that may find an alone time/quiet working spaces unpleasant. If this is the case, a little noise in the background may be best for productivity. 

And then there are the individuals that hop from room to room, desk to desk, consistently throughout the day. For that person, they may need to identify a few workspaces that they can transition in and out of throughout the day. 

Identifying what works best for your workspace/work environment, is important for work from home success. 

Technology and Speed Check

Your internet connection/ Wi-Fi and speed- is it all strong enough to support your work systems and video conference? Because of social distancing and isolation, meetings and conferences will be happening via software like Slack, Skype. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or GoToMeeting. Upgrading to stronger/faster service may be something to consider. 

Setting Boundaries- Family and Friends

Sometimes, family and friends think that work from home is similar to a non-work day. Many will want you to multi-task but- this is a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, some friends and family can’t work from home and so- they are essentially off of work if their workplace closed their doors.

Setting boundaries is important and so, consider limiting visits and phone calls to lunchtime. Or sticking to how things were before and connecting outside of work hours. If boundaries are ignored, don’t answer the door unless it’s an emergency. 

Get Out of Your Pajamas

Changing out of comfortable sleep clothes can help with motivation. Catherine Waldron, an Education Specialist with Enfield, says that even though she works from home, she showers and dresses for work every day. She adds: “getting dressed makes the home office more like a real office”.

Usually, no one wears their in-office attire to work out at the gym. Even for work from home, pajamas should be left for bed for maximum motivation. 

Stick to a Schedule

Sticking to a schedule and announcing that schedule will help make work from home more effective. Having stability and consistency helps. Essentially, the only thing that changes when working from home, is that you’ll be working from home. Generally, before this, in-office schedules were mandated. This should be the same case when working from home.