Work from home? This isn’t exactly a new term for us now!
It’s been more than a year since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. And although in the beginning, the mere thought of working from the comfort of home sent a wave of excitement through employees working an exhausting routine; a few months down the lane, it’s getting the better of many of us!
No doubt, there are numerous benefits of working from home, like getting more time to do things you never paid heed to, sharpening your cooking skills, and spending more time with your family and pets.
However, there’s one thing about working from home that we didn’t realize earlier: Boredom. And boredom eventually leads to unproductivity, which is even worse!
So, how do you spice up your monotonous work-from-home routine and stay productive?
In this article, we will first go over the various pros and cons of working from home, followed by seven practical tips for working from home to ensure utmost efficiency, but with an element of fun!
Pros and Cons of Working at Home
Pros
Separation between work & personal life
High work efficiency due to a relaxed routine
Increased productivity if managed properly
More time with family
More time to follow a healthy meal plan
Cons
Some people tend to overwork when working from home
Scattered work hours
Frequent interruptions like a child crying or the dog barking
Less connection with team members
Reduced movement can affect health
Monotony that can lead to unproductivity
Now let’s move on to something we have all been looking for…
7 Tips for Working from Home:
Following are 7 helpful tips to stay upbeat and productive while working from home:
Tip 1: Set Up a Designated Workspace
The first and foremost tip for working from home is to set up a designated space for work. This means you could choose a corner of your home or a separate room specifically for work.
Spruce it up a bit by going for a minimalistic setup or anything according to your taste. You could also re-enact your original workspace look by putting up things you had in your office, like a potted succulent, a table lamp, images of inspirational quotes, etc.
Or you could go overboard with your imagination and do things you couldn’t do at your job! This means putting up posters of your favorite superhero or movie or anything that gets you going.
This brings us to our second tip.
Tip 2: Setting Up Your Workstation
Once you’ve chosen an ideal spot for your workspace, it’s time to get down to business!
Setting up a workstation is one of the most important aspects of working from home. The main idea is to be comfortable and productive at the same time. This calls for a proper desk, chair, and computer setup. In short, you need an ergonomic workstation that supports your body in a neutral position.
Here’s a checklist to guide you:
Things you Need for your Workstation |
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| 1 | A desk with the proper height | |
| 2 | An ergonomic chair that supports your spine | |
| 3 | A keyboard that puts less stress on your shoulders | |
| 4 | A mouse that fits your palm | |
| 5 | A monitor within arm’s reach, set at a comfortable height | |
The outcome? You will be able to sit comfortably at a computer for long hours. But that doesn’t mean you stop taking breaks!
Tip 3: Take Regular Breaks
I’m sure the project you’re working on requires your undivided attention, but don’t burn yourself out during the process!
Taking breaks while working from home is as important for your health and well-being as a comfortable office setup. In fact, you should take a 17-minute break for every 52 minutes of work time! Which reminds me, it’s almost time for my break!
That makes 7 breaks for an 8-hour workday! 7 breaks in a day? That’s totally unheard of and might sound crazy, but believe me, it does wonders for your productivity.
What Happens if you Take Regular Breaks? |
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| 1 | You get an energy boost | |
| 2 | You stay motivated | |
| 3 | Your problem-solving skills go up a notch | |
| 4 | Improved focus | |
| 5 | It brings out your creativity | |
Tip 4: Collaboration is the Key
Working from home may have its perks, but lack of team collaboration can be a major stumbling block.
To overcome this issue, you need a software or app where you can work side-by-side with your team in real-time, a tool like Wondershare Document Cloud that offers many advanced document management features with robust security. Moreover, you can access it across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Features Offered by Wondershare Document Cloud |
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| 1 | Up to 100GB of cloud storage | |
| 2 | Adding electronic signatures to documents | |
| 3 | Collecting reviews and feedback by highlighting, underlining, and striking out text on documents | |
| 4 | Sharing files with colleagues and team members | |
| 5 | Foolproof security for safe storage of files | |
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While communicating with your colleagues for work-related issues is essential in effectively carrying out tasks, having an idle conversation is equally important to unwind.
Tip 5: Socialize with Small Talk
Working at an office is a plus when it comes to socializing because you’re constantly in contact with people. The same, however, is not the case when you’re working from home.
After tedious hours of work, you need to indulge in chit-chat with your family, friends, or colleagues to lighten up the mood. In the current post-pandemic times, when physical socialization has been limited to some extent, small talk on calls or texts is much appreciated.
Apart from helping you refresh, it helps improve spontaneity and gives you food for thought.
So, pick up your phone and text your friend about the latest season on Netflix, or simply call her to discuss how an online recipe you tried your luck at turned out to be a disaster!
Tip 6: Set Ground Rules
While working from home means your family is around you 24/7, you still need to keep a certain level of professionalism intact!
This means that you need to set some ground rules for everyone, including yourself. During work hours, make sure your focus is entirely on the task at hand. Secondly, your family members or roommates need to stay away while you’re working.
Ground Rules to Set When Working From Home |
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| 1 | Set specific working hours | |
| 2 | Take regular breaks in between work hours | |
| 3 | Ask family members or roommates to stay away when you’re working | |
| 4 | Request housemates to take care of pets during work hours even if it’s your duty | |
How awkward would it be for someone to barge into your room while you’re on a video conference, asking why you haven’t cleaned your room yet?
Of course, emergencies are an exception!
Tip 7: Don’t Forget to Step Outside
Staying at home can have a negative impact on our mental health, especially when going out can be life-threatening.
This doesn’t mean that you have to stay confined within the walls of your home. Once you’re done working, you can always go out for a stroll, a jog, or even to get something from the convenience store, following proper SOPs, of course.
Why Step Out after a Hard Day of Work? |
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| 1 | To take a breath of fresh air | |
| 2 | To chase away the blues | |
| 3 | To improve brain function | |
| 4 | To boost Vitamin D by soaking up the sun | |
So head out for a bit and reset yourself with a better frame of mind.
Work from home sounds like an exciting affair, something we have all wished for all our lives! But only when life gave us an opportunity to carry it out practically did we realize how important some things are, like the hustle and bustle of an office.
As a result, the initial fascination of working from home wears off, and everything seems a bit mundane!
However, if you follow our tips for working from home, you can maintain or even improve your productivity. So, what are you waiting for? Get up and get moving for unwavering efficiency day in day out!