Working from home tips for beginners
For some of us, working from home may be no change at all. For others, it's a completely new experience. As businesses around the world adjust to this new normal, how can we make sure can both you and your team stay productive and engaged, whilst striking the all-important work life balance?
Whether you're a working from home pro or still getting to grips with zoom conference calls, take a look at our tips below for advice on how to keep productive, happy and healthy whilst working from home.
Working from home: the basics
1. Separate work and living spaces
It’s vital to have separate work and living spaces.
No space? Not a problem. Having a particular desk set up for work in the corner of a room is better than nothing. As long as you only work at that desk, it’ll become second nature to leave it at that desk when you’re done.
2. Set regular work times and try to maintain your work/life balance
Working too much can lead to burnout and wrecks your productivity. Appropriate boundaries and set working hours are needed to maintain the work/life balance an office usually brings. This lets you truly relax in your spare time and gives a deadline to help keep you focused during the day.
3. Take regular breaks to come back with a fresh head
Taking breaks feels a little odd with remote work, as you can technically stop at any time. Get to know what works for you, as there needs to be a balance between staying focused and not working yourself into a rut.
Getting away from your screen will also help to prevent headaches.
4. Stretch to avoid cramps and pains
An injury may affect your ability to work. Avoid this by taking the time to stretch your muscles regularly (especially if you’re sat typing all day).
During your regular breaks, spend a few minutes stretching your limbs and muscles to ease out any tension.
5. Avoid despair by managing “impostor syndrome”
Impostor syndrome can wipe out motivation without warning. The isolation that remote work can bring may make it difficult to rationalise your success, leaving you feeling like a fraud. This is incredibly demotivating, and can easily lead to procrastination.
The best way to deal with this is with common sense and communication:
- Keep a folder of work you’re proud of or positive feedback you’ve received.
- Listen to constructive criticism, but dismiss random, useless, negative comments.
How to stay productive
You've mastered the basics and know your Zoom calls from your Google Hangouts. But with the current lockdown and social distancing measures showing no signs of easing, how can you ensure you stay happy, motivated and productive at home?
From taking breaks outside to sharing Spotify playlists, take a look at our guide for some top tips.