The outbreak of Covid-19 has meant that more of us are having to work from home than ever before. Working remotely is normal for some people, but the idea of working this way is completely alien to many. It can be difficult to work from and ensure you are productive, when there are so many distractions around. These are some tips to work effectively from home.
Give Yourself Time
Working from home can be difficult to get used to as you don’t have a set routine, but you need to give yourself a bit of time. The first few days are a time to start to get settled into it. It’s not necessary to have a set routine straight away. Do some work, watch a boxset in-between, stay in your pyjamas and get used to a new way of working.
Set a Routine
After the settling in period, it is vital that you get yourself into a proper routine. This means setting the alarm, getting dressed and minimising distractions. If you can work in another room, away from your family, this is ideal, as it will reduce the distractions. Plan your day so you are focused, but with regular short breaks. It can be extremely easy to get caught up in other things if you don’t stick to a routine and before you know it, the day is over and you’ve done very little!
Escape Social Media
Social media is one of the biggest distractions and productivity thief, so make sure you log out of your accounts for periods during the day. If you keep looking at social media, hours will be taken from your day before you know it. If possible, use social media for business purposes only, especially with so much fake news going around.
Peak Productivity Hours
Some people work better first thing in the morning, while others have more focus in the evening. Unless you need to work specific hours, it is a good idea to work at the hours you are most productive.
One Task at a Time
If you are working on multiple projects, it can be tempting to jump between them, and this can affect your productivity levels. It is much more effective to focus and complete one project, before moving onto the next. You’ll be more focused if you do this, and more likely to produce high quality work.
Do you have any tips to work from home effectively? Do you prefer working from home, or are you finding it challenging? We would love to hear about your experiences. If you are a contractor explore our 5 ways to handle Covid-19 as a contractor.