If you are used to working in the office full-time it can be difficult to get used to working from home at first. We have put together a list of top tips that you can use to ensure that you boost productivity, maintain a healthy work-life balance and continue to deliver results while working remotely!
1. Get up early
If you are due to start work at 9.00 am, don’t set your alarm for 8.55 am and run to your desk praying that no one calls you before you get a chance to wake up. Instead, set your alarm earlier so that you can properly wake up, make breakfast and get organised to start the day right!
2. Get dressed
Even though it is tempting to roll out of bed and sit at your desk in your comfiest pyjamas, make sure that you get dressed every morning. It will help you psychologically get into the mindset of working and you will be prepared if you have an unexpected video call!
3. Have a designated workspace
Make sure wherever you choose to work (not your bed) is clean & organised and you have all the stationery you need.
Also, if you are someone who regularly participates in conference calls, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and that the area around you is clean and tidy.
4. Reduce distractions
It is a good idea that if you have people living with you they respect your working hours and allow you to have the space you need.
Professor Robert Kelly found this out the hard way in 2017 when being interviewed live by BBC News. His two children came into the room and the video went viral and has been seen more than 30 million times!
5. Get some fresh air
Try to get out of the house on your lunch break and get some fresh air (where possible). This could be simply sitting in your garden or going for a brisk walk.
6. Keep in contact with your colleagues
When working from home, it is important to keep in regular contact with your colleagues to help boost morale. For some people who live alone, these may be the only people they speak to during the day. Microsoft Teams is a great tool to use to stay in contact. You could have a video call on your lunch for an informal chat, just as you would if you were in the office.
7. Stick to your normal working routine
When you are working from home, you should try to replicate your routine in the office as much as possible. Stick to your normal working hours and lunchtime, and follow the same rules that apply in the office e.g. the use of mobile phones. It is also a good idea to create a schedule of things you would like to achieve each day.
8. Once you log off, log off
When you are working from home, the line between work life and home life can become blurred. Once your working day is over, try and keep the divide between the two and once you log off in the evening, stay logged off. You should physically distance yourself from your designated area of work and not look at work emails outside of office hours (if possible).
Written by Michelle Corry