All in a Day's Work
In recent years, remote and hybrid jobs have become more popular than ever, and for good reason – increased flexibility, no commute, and improved focus are all benefits that make working from home a great option. That said, adjusting to remote work comes with a learning curve. Here we outline a few tips to help you make the most out of your work-from-home setup!
Create a Focus Zone
If you’re spending a majority of your workdays at home, it’s worth setting up a permanent space where you can work with minimal distractions. In lieu of a designated office space, guest rooms, closets, or under-stair spaces can be adapted for work nooks.
Pro tip: Invest in furnishings that will provide the most comfort in the long-term, like standing desks, supplementary lighting, and ergonomic chairs and computer mice. These upgrades may have higher costs up front but can reduce physical strain that stems from prolonged sitting and poor posture. Remember to take regular breaks from screens and stretch often!
Get Organized
Before decking out your workspace, first consider the products you actually need to achieve daily tasks.
Too many items in your workspace will disrupt flow, so incorporate easy-access storage systems for files and supplies. Organization doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – repurpose old jars, bins, shoeboxes, baskets, or bookshelves to find a process that works for you.
Stay on Task
At the beginning of your day, write out a list of priority tasks that you can reasonably accomplish in a workday. Planners, calendars, whiteboards, and sticky notes can be helpful to visually reinforce what needs to be done. If you can, leave your phone in another room for periods of time or silence notifications to minimize distractions.
Check in With Your Team
Keep your team in the loop of your workload and schedule. If you need to mute notifications or go offline for a block of time to focus on a task, let your coworkers know ahead of time so there are no crossed wires.
Change Your Scenery
If your home office setup is getting claustrophobic, check out a local coworking spot, public library, or coffee shop. Throughout your day, schedule regular times to go for a walk, play with a pet, or simply sit outside in the sun. And never underestimate the power of a nutritious diet and hydration in making you feel energized and ready for a day of work!
The Pomodoro Technique
for time management and avoiding burnout:
- Choose a high-priority task to focus on.
- Set a 25-minute timer and work solely on that one task.
- When the time is up, take a 5-minute break.
- Resume work for another 25 minutes, repeating this process until your task is done.
- Adjust the time period of working and resting as needed, such as working 40 minutes, resting for 15.
