The world has been engaged in the largest flexible workplace experiment in history for the past few years now, and it appears that many people want this to become the new normal. In such a situation, how can you stay productive?
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The greatest advantage of working from home is the additional flexibility. However, if not handled wisely, this luxury can easily become a missed opportunity. Work-from-home is said to be a litmus test for your productivity.
The majority of individuals believe that efficiency has been lost as a result of the convenience that remote work affords. However, this isn’t always the case. You lose productivity not as a result of this, but rather as a result of failing to learn the fundamentals.
These strategies will help you make the best out of your remote work hours, whether you work from home every day, a few times each week, or even if you’re only working from home while recovering from an illness.
Tips and Apps to Be Productive While Working from Home
1. Set Up a Dedicated Workspace
While it may be enticing to operate from your sofa, comfy recliner, or even your cot, this can have a significant impact on your productivity. To signal to your mind that it’s time for work, not relaxation, try to work from the same room, desk, or chair every day.
2. Follow a Routine
Reset your alarm clock and go through your typical morning routine as if you were heading to work. When you’re getting ready for the day, switching from your home to your office surroundings is a good idea.
3. Give Targets to Yourself
Invest brief moments each day to write out the job objectives you aim to achieve. Use these daily goals to help you reach a broader weekly goal that will help you with your projects and assignments.
4. Manage Your Time Well
When working remotely, it’s possible to lose track of time, so it’s crucial to incorporate certain time management practices that can help you keep track of how much time you’re spending on different activities. For example, the Pomodoro Method is a terrific method for getting you to work for two to three hours and then taking a 20- to 30-minute break.
5. Get Some Face Time With Your Teammates
Meet remotely with your coworkers face-to-face at least once a week using video conferencing software. You and your team can prepare and coordinate more efficiently by seeing each other and speaking verbally. Regular face time with your coworkers can also help you stay connected and avoid feeling alone.
6. Take Constant Feedback
Requesting frequent input from your managers is critical to know how your project leader and management view your performance, just as regular face time with your team is important. Knowing where you can improve and what areas of your work are above par will help you stay motivated.
7. Efficient Communication is Key
It’s difficult to assess if you’re engaging enough when you’re telecommuting. Make it a mission to communicate with your teammates and manager at least once a day to stay in touch.
Use your usual means of communication, send email updates, or use video chat to connect with people. You may be over-communicating, but when you are unable to work in person, it is critical to interact properly every day.
8. Relax in Between
Everyone should take time off to reboot and recharge their batteries. Spend time with your family, undertake projects around the house, or even establish a garden with your paid time off or scheduled time away from work. Whatever you plan to do with your vacation, keep in mind that just because you work from home doesn’t mean you don’t need a few days off.
9. Avoid Distractions
As much as possible, keep the distractions in your home to a minimum. If you can’t enter your living room without turning on the TV, for example, work in another room or part of your house. Distracting elements from your environment should be removed to keep you focused on your task, which can affect your productivity.
10. Take Help When You Need It
Ask for help if you’re stuck, frustrated, or just need to connect with someone. Make contact with your teammates and let them know how you’re feeling.
Similarly, if you’re feeling overburdened by your responsibilities, chat to your boss about working out a more flexible schedule. Asking for assistance when you need it is critical to being productive and on schedule.
Some Collaboration Tools to Make Remote Working Productive
1. Focus Apps
To help you stay concentrated on the job at hand, get more done, and make it to bed on time. Eg:- Serene, Forest, etc.
2. Team Communication
To ensure that remote communication is not a problem, use messaging and email applications. Eg:- Slack, Chanty, etc.
3. Project Management
Managers, teams, and individuals can use these tools to prepare and coordinate their responsibilities. Eg. Clovine, ProofHub, etc.
4. Scheduling Meetings
Make scheduling group sessions and video conversations a breeze. Eg. Calendly, Doodle, etc.
5. Video Conferencing
Don’t miss out on face time with your peers with the help of the best video calling apps. Eg. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.
6. To-Do Lists
Managing individual assignments has never been easier with technology organizing your tasks for you. Eg. Microsoft To Do, Todoist, etc.
7. Collaboration and File Sharing
Make, share, and collaborate seamlessly while being physically away from your colleagues with these apps. Eg. Google Docs, OneDrive, etc.
8. Automating Repetitive Assignments
Tools for remote and home-based workers that automate repetitive, time-consuming operations. Eg. Zapier, IFTTT, etc.
9. Remote Access
For troubleshooting hardware or software issues, onboarding new team members, or accessing local files on a teammate’s machine. Eg. AnyDesk, TeamViewer, etc.
10. Switching Off Post Work Hours
People who work remotely and from home say that turning off after work is one of the most difficult tasks they face. These apps can help ease out a little. Eg:- Daywise, Cold Turkey, etc.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to transition your work environment to your home, but with a few easy tweaks to your routine and workspace, you can still have a productive work day. Try out some of the above working-from-home strategies to see what proves best for you and your family.
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