Around 70% of professionals work remotely at least one day a week and over 50% work remotely at least half of the week. With numbers like these, there’s no question about whether or not remote working is a viable option.The only question is; how do we make the best of it?
When your home becomes your workplace the line separating the two can get blurred, and it’s difficult to distinguish where work ends and life begins.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newbie to the work from home scene, here are a few tips to help you create a sustainable working environment to keep you focused and connected.
Dress to Impress
We can be unconscious of how dressing up (or down) affects our mood and energy. Seemingly little things like changing out of work clothes and into something more comfortable switches our brain from work mode into relaxation mode.
‘Clothes maketh the man’. People will judge you on your appearance and treat you accordingly, and whether or not you realise it, you will do the same to yourself. Donning professional attire will give you an air of professionalism which will influence your interactions and promote your sense of productivity.
Include Your Kids
Managing your time and duties might seem insurmountable, especially as a working parent. With some full-time WFH-ers and a lax WFH policy, at Devoteam Cloud Services we have found ways to juggle them expertly.
Being a parent is not a switch that can be flipped on or off. When you’re taking a meeting, just give your fellow participants a heads up that your children might pop in.
Be ready to mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
Engage your child in ‘note-taking’ activities so their involvement can be constructive. As a last resort, don’t feel guilty bribing your kids. (We all do it.)
Take a Break
Your productivity, mental health, and overall performance depend on it. If you’re accustomed to working in the office, allow yourself the same intervals at home. Get up and stretch your legs, take your calls outside if you can. Enjoy downtime during lunch.
When you’re in the office, your colleagues serve as human timers for coffee and lunch breaks. If you’re working alone this luxury doesn’t apply. You must become responsible for yourself for when and how you eat and drink.
Keeping yourself hydrated may not seem like a big effort, but you might be surprised to find that 5-6 hours can easily pass you while you are sitting at your desk cranking out all that work. Keep a water bottle within reach and set timers to remind you to take a sip.
Check-In
While we don’t recommend checking your email every two minutes, it’s a good idea to check in with your colleagues every now and then. When you’re not in the office environment, it’s easy to become and feel isolated.
Pop by their virtual desk with a friendly message on chat. Pick up the phone and check-in with ex-colleagues and friends. Reach out on LinkedIn to someone you’ve always wanted to meet. Networking doesn’t have to end just because you are home.
Checking-in is even more important when working remotely. Maintain transparency by keeping others clued in as to when you may not be at your desk and readily available. Use your Calendar to clearly mark working hours and block periods of time for personal reasons.
Know When to Stop
At the end of a long day it’s important to know when to stop. Try to physically and emotionally disconnect at the end of your day. Simply closing your computer and muting phone notifications might not be enough. Set boundaries and let others know that you won’t be checking messages/ receiving calls. Put away your computer or close the door to your home office.
We’re creatures of habit and physically leaving an office can bring give your spirit a mental reset. When working from home, give yourself a change of scenery to get your brain out of work mode. Step out onto your balcony for a stretch or an afternoon coffee. Take your dog for a walk. Spend some time on a hobby or craft. Embrace your downtime.