Many of us have found ourselves working from home since the latest developments with COVID-19.  Countless people have remote-based jobs that may not have been affected, but there are thousands of others who will need to find a new ‘normal.’

Whether your virtual workspace is permanent or only temporary, here are a few tips to help making your days more productive:

 

1. Maintain A Schedule

• If you’re new to working from home, you should stick to your normal business hours. If you consistently work remotely, it is best to set a schedule and stick to it. Create scheduled times on your calendar for specific work to complete and meetings to put in place.

2. Take Breaks

• Schedule breaks into your daily routine – and don’t shortchange yourself on them! Allow yourself a break from screen time to take a walk or make some lunch. It is extremely important to allow yourself mental and physical breaks from your work just as you would on a normal work day, if not more.

3. Keep A Dedicated Work Space

• Obviously it’s ideal to have a separate room away from the typical social areas in your home that you can dedicate to your office. If that is not possible, try to find a quiet place to set up your computer and other items that will provide the least distractions. Having a set area to “report” to each day can especially help provide an office-like environment for those not accustomed to working remotely.

4. Use Productivity Apps

• There are several apps that will help you stay on track with your projects and aid in your overall success. Using time tracker apps can show your productivity levels each day and week – this will provide insight such as exactly when you are being the most productive and how much time you spend on each task.

5. Stay Off Social Media

• It’s too easy to get sucked into the never-ending rabbit hole of social media as soon as you open the app. Social media can drastically impair your work rhythm if you allow it in. Shut down any tabs and windows on your computer that are open to social media sites and notifications. It’s important to minimize mindless use of social media to avoid distractions and be able to focus on getting more done.

 

If you’re new to the work-from-home lifestyle, you will need to adjust some of your habits and routines to make this a success. If this is your every-day norm, then kudos to you for making it work for you!  Everyone who works remotely must figure out what works best for them on when to work, where to work and how to create and manage work/personal boundaries.

As I have been working from home more in the last couple weeks, I have found some great resources that are helping me. Feel free to reach out with your suggestions or if you’d like me to share mine!