Last updated: February 21, 2023
It can be challenging to work from home when it is forced upon you. The new normal that the pandemic has thrust upon us has made us more insular. We no longer have the choice to head into the office when we want to catch up with colleagues or fancy a change of scenery. Working from home used to be a novelty and almost a treat. Now, it is the norm and while it may have been bliss to begin with, it is now difficult to break free from the mundane nature of our working days. To be a successful remote worker, you need to follow these three simple steps.
Limit Procrastination
The chances of procrastination are high when you are working from home. It’s all too easy to spend your days scrolling through Facebook, watching the rolling news feeds and taking elaborate three hour lunch breaks to rustle up some ridiculously complex meal that uses up every pot and pan in the house. You need to remember that you are being paid to work. You need to consider how to remain productive when working from home by keeping structure to your working day. Get up at the same time, shower, and get dressed. The allure of staying in your pyjamas all day means that you won’t have the same alertness levels or focus on your work.
Work-Life Balance
Ensure that you create an area within your home that is separate from your family. While homeschooling is challenging, having the kids screaming around you while you try and respond to emails on the sofa can be incredibly stressful. You need to try and keep a balance and prevent your personal and business life from mixing. A home office is ideal if you are looking to work on your blog. You need to set up your work station and keep it tidy. By taking yourself out of the personal space of the home, you can almost have a mini commute to work every morning. Have regular breaks and take advantage of having the kids at home to spend some quality time with them, but make sure your breaks don’t extend into hours away from the desk.
Social Media Detox
If you were working in the office, you wouldn’t be venturing onto Instagram on your work computer. The same should be said for your home office. If you find yourself working long hours at your desk, don’t spend your twenty minute break heading on Twitter. Instead, get out of your chair and take a walk to the local park. You can immerse yourself in nature and get some fresh air. This also gives your eyes a chance to focus on something other than a screen. Being surrounded by greenery can also help to lower your stress levels and make you feel refreshed ready to get back to work. Being productive when working from home can be a challenge but by structuring your day and sticking to a routine without social media, you can remain more on task.
Follow this simple guide and you can be a successful remote worker during this global pandemic and beyond.
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