Due to Covid19 outbreak, people have started to embrace the work-from-home setup as an alternative to containing the spread of the virus. While it is nice to be working at home because you don’t have to buy lunch, wake up early, or plan what to wear for the day, it has its downside. The too much comfort it gives decreases productivity if we don’t anticipate certain levels of distraction coming from it. It deflects your goal to produce what is needed at a given time. With a few adjustments and developing habits, you can stay focused on reaching your target throughout your shift.
Here are the tips to maintain productivity at home
1. Have a morning routine
You might think it is unnecessary for morning habits when you get to the office because of the alternate work arrangements, but maintaining those habits helps. Setting your alarm, taking a bath, eating breakfast, and drinking coffee in the morning, can signal you to transition into work mode.
2. Always set a goal before starting
Taking time to set a goal to accomplish for the day is proven to motivate a person. Before starting your shift, make sure to take a few minutes to identify what is your target. Developing this habit can help you build up plans that contribute to your projects and tasks.
3. Take a break
Each person needs a break from work. Humans are not machines. Even machines need to cool down to maintain pristine conditions. If we stretch ourselves too thin, we will eventually be worn out and experience burnout, thus affecting our productivity. You might feel like slacking off but taking a break, such as stretching and moving, can release tension and discomfort in your body after sitting and facing your computer for hours. A simple exercise can also help prevent injuries in your hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. You can also take a quick stride outside to clear your head and come back with better ideas for your work.
4. Create a workspace
Creating a workspace helps you separate your personal and work life. Set and decorate a space where you can work comfortably and be free from distractions, such as noises from the people living in the house. By doing so, you will be setting a boundary between work and personal life and that the space is off-limits when you work.
5. Eat lunch
As busy as it gets, allocating your time to eat lunch is one of the effective ways to maintain productivity. Stopping to eat lunch can boost your performance at work. Food intake is proven to fuel your brain, which needs the energy to function well. While being too busy can cause hunger cues to be muted, our body still needs food. So, to not skip lunch, set a reminder that it’s time to eat.
6. Communicate with your colleagues virtually
Scheduling a meeting with your colleagues at least once a week can help you collaborate effectively. Though working alone may seem fine for some people, brainstorming with your workmates can help you think of better ideas. It can also help you stay connected to them and keep you from being isolated.
7. Ask for feedback from supervisors often
Asking for feedback from your supervisors is essential to stay on track. It can also help you to know what area to improve based on the standards they have set for the project. Having to redo your tasks all the time if you haven’t met the expectations can lead to demotivation, so communicate with your supervisors as often as needed. Scheduling regular feedback can also make you excited about your work.
8. Participate in online training.
If an opportunity has presented itself, you should grab it. Anything that involves boosting your skills and advancing your career will help you stay motivated. Participate in any learning and development online training provided by your company or other available resources outside. It can help you set a goal and reach it.
9. Prioritize tasks
Take note of the most urgent tasks that need prioritizing more than the others. Use tools like google tasks that would help you sort tasks based on their urgency so you can remain productive even with the demands of increasing workloads. When we get to work straight away without sorting and prioritizing essential tasks, it will result in more backlogs that need finishing, thus affecting our productivity. Be sure to prioritize first, and you will feel relaxed at the end of your shift.
10. Identify the time when you are most productive
Not everyone can function well during their shift. There is a time of the day when we feel more productive. Some people work well during nights when most people are already sleeping. Some function well during mornings when a lot of people go to work. However, people working at home should figure out when they are most productive, considering the possible distractions. Apps like Hubstaff allow you to observe your performance and analyze when you are at your best time.
Some tips may not be helpful for some people, but these are simple enough for anyone to try. To increase your productivity, be motivated more, and prevent the possibility of experiencing burnout, try these steps suggested. By doing so, you will gain more, learn more and achieve more.
