How to Effectively Work From Home

In theory, working from home is an ideal luxury. We say goodbye to the wasteful hours commuting to and fro the office, the hassle of getting made up, and all the noise of the office cubicles.

But after a few days or weeks, depending on when your company has started implementing work from home policies, the magic has worn off. Now we're all just figuring out how on earth we're supposed to get things done with the bed so close. This is clearly not a vacation, and being productive in a time of crisis eludes us.

The nature of our work may be different, and the tasks we're supposed to carry it vary between industries, bosses, policies and positions. But there are simple and significant working from home strategies that can help us get our tasks done efficiently.

From people who have successfully worked from home over the years as well as productivity experts, here are some of the best tips to get things done while stuck in our houses.

Tips for Working from Home:

Follow your regular routine.

It can be easy to throw out your daily routine in exchange for just crawling out of bed and work in your pyjamas. But productivity is also a mindset. By continuing to do your weekday morning preparations, you are signalling to your brain that "I'm going to work."

Wake up at your normal time, prepare breakfast, work out (if you have been), shower and get dressed in work clothes. Establish a schedule or your work hours before WFH was implemented. This helps you focus on work and lose track of time. This also gives you plenty of time to do other things besides work, creating a work-life balance.

Have a dedicated workspace.

Those who have successfully work from home have set up work stations in their abodes. It is counterproductive to stay in bed or slack on the sofa. This also helps create a boundary for you. When you sit in your workspace (try your dining room table), you can avoid unnecessary distractions and at the end of the day, leave your work behind.

Get moving.

We all know that sitting the whole day in our office was never good for us. Now that we're at home, there's even less reason for us to move around. So be mindful to get fresh air and get your blood pumping. Set an alarm at your preferred interval and stand up, stretch and move around.

Get some fresh air! While going outside isn't advised, open your windows to let in natural daylight and fresh air. If you have a garden, make it a point to get midday sun. Don't forget to wash your hands frequently.

Connect with your colleagues.

Communication is important now that you and your team won't be seeing each other physically. Contact them outside of your regular Zoom or FaceTime and check up on them too.

Don't multitask.

It is quite tempting to do the laundry or some household chore while also working. It's productive, one would think. But this opens for more distraction! Remind yourself often, "would I do this if I were at work?"

Prepare to be disrupted.

You have to remember, you are working from home in the midst of a crisis. It's perfectly understandable that many things will distract you right now. Create a schedule that will work for you, your partner, and if you have them - your kids. Having kids while working at home can be very challenging. It's recommended to sync your schedules with them. Start projects that will keep them busy for hours. This situation calls for patience, so have that by the buckets.

Ultimately, the rule is to be kind to yourself. Pick one of these tips and challenge yourself to stick to it today. Know that it won't be perfect and have enough room for changes. Remember that you are very blessed to be able to work still, so enjoy each day!