The global spread of COVID-19 has required people to work from home for an indeterminate amount of time. We have had to figure out when to work, where to work, and how to create boundaries between work and personal life. Here are our 10 tips for leading a better and more productive remote-working life, based on Intelliflo staff’s experiences:
- Create a workplace
Create a comfortable working environment, dining room, living room, bedroom, wherever is comfortable. It needs to be a place that gives you an area to focus. If you are home-schooling why not create a little environment for children to study in as well.
- Talk to your colleagues
Not just via instant message or email. Call them using a video conference tool and we encourage you to turn on your video. A good chat will help you feel more connected.
- Get in the zone
Dress for work, no suit and tie, but getting out of your PJ's is important. It will help transition from “home” you to “work” you.
- Switch off social media
It's way too easy to get on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, whatever it is that might distract you. Use it in breaks or as a reward after finishing a big task in the day. You can also use your screen time measures on your phone if you want to see how much time you actually spend on these apps.
- Turn off the TV, turn on your playlists
TV, the news and all the Coronavirus updates can also be distracting. Instead, turn on your favourite Spotify playlists to keep you going, motivated and focused.
- Healthy snacks
It's easy to snack badly when you're working from home. Crisps, chocolate, cake: the unholy trio. Better to invest in fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables. They will help you improve your productivity and concentration...
- Exercise and stretch regularly
Exercise naturally boosts endorphins, which increases happiness, enjoyment, and interest levels, all of which are important for productivity. Why not use the time you would be commuting to go for a walk or fit in your exercise? Regularly stretching helps you maintain good posture.
- Stay positive
Don't keep the news on all day. For all things COVID, tune in at the start of the day and at the end of the day for updates.
- Work when you're at your most productive
Nobody sprints through their work from morning to evening. Your motivation will naturally ebb and flow throughout the day. When you're working from home, however, it's all the more important to know when those ebbs and flows will take place and plan your schedule around it.
- Keep disciplined hours
Working from home means fantastic flexibility, but you don't want to find yourself working late just because you had a lie in. Try to set regular working hours and stick to them. This also ensures you don't slip into excessive overtime without realising, which is a big risk when work is always right there.
