Work from Home and Stay Productive!

Due to the extraordinary situation that arose when the COVID-19 epidemic was declared a pandemic, many companies allowed their employees to work from home. There are numerous studies on this topic - one group of psychologists claims that working from home makes you more productive, while another group argues that this type of work can have a negative impact on productivity and mental health. Remote work certainly has its advantages - you save time commuting to work, you can sleep longer or enjoy a morning walk, but there are also challenges. What we can already conclude with certainty is that one of the consequences of the coronavirus will be this global experiment - working from home.

To make remote work truly productive, here are a few key tips.

Create an Office Space

The first and foremost is to designate a space in your home that can serve as your office. It should be a space that mentally prepares you for work, whether it's a separate room, a desk in the corner of the living room, or a laptop on the kitchen table. Ideally, it should be a place where you don't relax, like the bedroom, and a place that other family members know is designated for work and won't disturb you. However, if you're unable to separate your workspace from common areas, we advise you to get headphones as the best solution. A suitable desk and chair are a given, as well as one or more monitors depending on the nature of your work.

It's extremely important to take breaks at regular intervals to stretch your legs. Ensure that your workspace is well-lit - the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your gaze from the screen and focus on something 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. However, it should be noted that if you believe you're most productive with a laptop in bed, by all means, set up your workspace there. It may take multiple attempts to determine which part of your apartment suits you best for getting work done, so be patient.

The biggest myth about working from home is that people who work from home are lazy and don't do enough work. Since they're not sitting next to bosses or colleagues, skeptics assume they do less work than employees who can't easily relax in office conditions. However, this theory has been debunked. In fact, many workers say they actually work more hours than when they're in the office.

Respect Your Working Hours

Breaking out of the routine is sometimes a slow process, so if you're not ready, don't start it right away. Wake up at the same time, do everything as you would if you were going to the office, and when it's time to start working, start at home. It will take a couple of days to get used to it.

Dress for the Workday

Perhaps the best thing about working from home is that you can dress however you want. That's true, and there will be days when you don't feel like it, you're not in the mood, you have a headache, and nothing suits you, and it's perfectly fine to relax and work in your pajamas on those days. However, research shows that it's extremely important not to break the routine and to dress every morning as if you were going to the office - at the same time every day. Because, in addition to jeans and a comfortable shirt, wearing shoes helps maintain a sense of work compared to relaxation.

Make a Task List

Create a so-called "to-do" list, track task completion, and have a clear goal. If you have a clear goal of what you want and need to accomplish that day, it will be easier to stay focused. When working from home, it's easy to lose sight of the goal.

Stay in Touch with Colleagues

When working from home, it's important to stay in constant communication with your team about your achievements, challenges, and priorities. Working from home should not disrupt business meetings or communication with colleagues - meet with your team or clients face to face quickly and easily via Skype.

Don't Forget to Stop Working

You've followed all the steps mentioned above. Great! Now it's time to finish your workday. We suggest creating a ritual that marks the end of the workday and sticking to it - turn off your laptop, go outside, take a walk with your dog.

And finally, the most important thing is to enjoy what you do. If you approach your job with motivation, you're sure to be fulfilled. Surround yourself with positive people and be responsible to yourself and others.