Though we’ve always heard that you should leave your work outside the bedroom, current travel advisories have made that hard to follow. With the country in complete lockdown, most of you (unless you work in essential services) are working remotely, unable to travel to work and meetings. Working from home has become the current norm and not the exception.
When you first heard that you would be working from the comfort of your own home, you might have fantasized about all its benefits. Zero commuting, a dress code of pajamas, and plenty of snacks available just a few steps away in your kitchen. But in reality, working from home can be a double-edged sword. Sure, you can get some extra shut-eye and can dress casual, but it can be hard to focus at home with a plethora of distractions surrounding you. From laundry to cooking food, to looking after your kids, or even watching one episode on Netflix, distractions are aplenty. Productivity can take a nosedive if you’re not used to it.
Now since this is an area we have some experience with, we’ve got a couple of tips that might help you stay productive while working from home. Here are some things that work for us, and might work for you too:
Have a dedicated sleep schedule
With the disappearance of a regular schedule and commute, there is a high probability of your sleep schedule derailing. It is tempting to stay awake later than usual and binge-watch your new Netflix obsession, or to become engrossed in the latest news update. The lack of sleep can negatively affect your work and health as well as immunity, which is why it is vital to set up a proper schedule. You should be in bed by a cut off time, which can be decided depending on what time you need to start work.
Pretend that you ARE going to the office
Wake up, shower, and get dressed just like you would if you were going to work. I know, I know, it’s a tall ask! Even though working in pajamas is a bonus of working from home, it can get too comfortable when you are in bed, and Netflix is a click away. Getting ready as though you’re going to work can help set the right tone and get you in the mindset for work. Have a proper work routine (similar hours) with a scheduled lunch break. Sometimes WFH means you lose track of time, or give up too much personal time. A proper lunch break away from your computer can be rewarding for your productivity.
Do not work from your bed
With the boundaries between work and home getting blurred more than ever, it is essential to have a dedicated work area that you can associate with your job and leave when you are off the clock. This definitely means you move away from the couch or bed to work, and have a designated area of your house that is just for work. If you have a desk that’s great, but if not, repurpose your dining area and set up a workstation. Make it clutter free, and with only the essentials you need.
Work as if you are in the office
Working from home comes with a fair share of distractions. You should keep your phone away while working, and only use it if required for work. You could keep it in a different room to avoid getting tempted to scroll through Instagram. If Netflix is your weakness, try installing apps that block these websites during work hours so you won’t be tempted to switch over.
Try to work in batches, and make to-do lists of work that absolutely needs to be done – holding yourself accountable to a list has a way of making you stick to it. Assign tasks that go together to a chunk of time. For, e.g. content creation on Monday, Zoom meetings/phone calls on Wednesdays, client work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and personal projects on Fridays. By creating specific time slots for certain tasks, (for example, checking in with your team via Zoom only at a certain pre-decided time; once a day/week depending on needs), you eliminate the need to be available all the time for small distractions.
If you can’t assign entire days to batch working, assign 90-minute time blocks. During your blocks, you should forget about housework, or laundry, etc. and focus only on your work.
Childcare
A lot of you may have children at home and might find it challenging to work with the little ones around. You could discuss your schedule with your spouse or family members and take turns to keep your child entertained while you work. If you have the space to work from a separate room, it might help to explain to your child that the area is off-limits for them during work hours. Or if the child is a little older, you could get them to do small assignments, research, or filing to “help” you. You could also schedule your work around their nap times.
Work when you are at your most productive
It is improbable to feel productive from morning to evening. Motivation naturally ebbs and flows, and it is imperative to plan your schedule around when you usually feel the most motivated. Not going into the office gives you the advantage of working during the hours when you function best, so make use of the opportunity.
As a freelance writer, I find that I prefer working at night. The distractions are limited, and it is easy for me to concentrate. As a bonus, my days are entirely clear, and I get to spend time with my friends and family. If you are a night owl with flexible work hours, you could consider working nights.
Don’t forget to reward yourself
You usually look forward to coming home from work. It is like a “reward”- something to look forward to and motivates you to keep working. While working from home you could create an end of the day reward, which could be a square of chocolate, or scrolling through Insta for 10 minutes, or even playing a game on the ps4. It will keep you motivated while giving you something to look forward to.
Cross it off the list
A lot of times, physically looking at the work we have completed provides satisfaction and helps us remain motivated. Making a checklist in the morning for tasks that you might want to accomplish that day, and crossing them off might be the right motivation. Stick to specific tasks and not broad headings so that you feel like you did manage to get a lot completed.
Don’t be a loner
Lack of human contact can make you feel isolated and only. It could affect your mental health and your efficiency, especially if you’re used to going into a big office and seeing your colleagues and friends everyday. It is essential to take small breaks to chat with other people you work with, or your friends and family.
Pick a finish time
You might think that due to working from home, regular office hours aren’t crucial. This is both true and false. Yes, although you need to work during a specific period, you should have a cut off time like in your office. Often while working from home, we get carried away and keep working long after office hours. It is essential to be more productive while working and work smartly to not over exhaust yourself.
Working from home can be challenging for someone who’s not used to it, and some of these tips might help you find your groove; often with a series of trial and error, you can come up with a custom system that suits you. Some days you might not get anything done, and some you might over-exhaust yourself working way past the usual hours. Ultimately, don’t be too hard on yourself but also do not slack off from your duties. And although it might be challenging to concentrate amongst everything going on, it is vital to focus and carry on – if not for anything else, then to at least keep you busy and sane during the lockdown!
Image Source: Steph Jolly
