Working From Home Tips For Being Effective

Following the onset of COVID-19, many employees are being asked to work from home to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Below are tips to help employees be more effective and efficient while working remotely.

• Prepare like you are going into the office. When you work from home, get fully ready for the day and follow the same routines as when you’re going into work—set your alarm, make a cup of coffee, get in a quick workout, etc.

• Choose a dedicated workspace. Rather than working in your bedroom or on the couch (spaces that are associated with leisure), dedicate a specific room or workspace where you can be the most productive and feel comfortable sitting or standing for long periods of time.

• Select the right medium for communication. While in-person meetings are not possible when working from home, it’s important to use rich mediums of communication like video chat or phone calls when possible. Email is fast and efficient, but it’s not always the most effective.

• Make time to stay connected with others. When working from home, you need to make or schedule time to connect with colleagues and discuss current projects, give them an opportunity to ask questions, or simply check in at least once a week.

• Work when you’re most productive. To capitalize on your most productive periods, save harder tasks for when you’re in the right headspace for them and use slower points of the day to knock out the easier, logistical tasks on your plate.

• Block time on your calendar for specific tasks. Using your calendar to schedule important tasks will help you focus your energy on one item at a time, rather than multi-tasking and getting distracted.

• Take short, frequent breaks. Whether it’s walking around the block, taking a break to make lunch or a snack, or simply recharging, take breaks that will let your mind rest and help you be more productive when you sit down at your desk.

• Make it hard to distract yourself with social media. It can be tempting to browse social media when working remotely, but it will be a detriment to your productivity. To combat this, remove social media accounts from your browser or consider logging out of your accounts.

• Remember to leave the office. At the end of the day, it’s important to shut down and shut off, making sure you’re separating work and home just as you would if you were physically at the office.

• When in doubt, pick up the phone and call. If you have a question or problem that’s difficult to be answered via email, don’t be afraid to call someone. Often times, you can solve the problem faster this way and spend valuable time connecting with colleagues.