In March 2020 we were faced with lockdown round one and working from home was new and a novelty for some. As lockdown round two firmly settles in, are you getting the best out of you and are you giving your business your all? We have a list of 10 ways to help you be more productive when working from home. Let’s get started…
What you will take away from reading this article
- Learn from lessons tried and tested by others
- Ideas and solutions to help you be more productive and avoid those home distractions
- Inspiration to get you focussed to get growing again
So, what’s got you distracted? The home comforts, the kids, the pets, that list of chores or maybe just the temptation to switch off and out of work mode? Don’t worry you’re not alone.
60% of the UK’s adult population have been home working during the pandemic with 26% expected to continue working in this way after the pandemic (source: Finder.com).
Two separate studies have shown that two-thirds believe their productivity has increased. However, as home working periods extend and more lockdowns are introduced, will this wave of productivity wane?
Drawbacks include loneliness, wellbeing and the impact on mental health, the ability to switch off from work and issues with connecting online.
Before 2020, the covid19 pandemic and lockdown, what kept you productive at work? And can you use some of those lessons at home too?
Let’s take a look at 10 ways you can be more productive when working from home…
#1 – Stick to a routine
Pre-2020, did you have to commute? Did you stop off at the services or local coffee shop? Or maybe you had a half-hour workout in the gym. Whatever it is you did before that made you motivated and energised for the day ahead is still possible at home.
Don’t snooze that alarm and avoid always working in your pj’s. If you make a conscious effort to stick to a routine then you will set the right intentions for the day ahead.
#2 Turn off background noise
This can be hard if you have a house full or live in a busy built-up area. Consider getting yourself some noise-cancelling headphones or simply close doors to make sure work and home are as separate as reasonably possible.
Consider turning off social media or at least notifications that can wait until work is done.
#3 Take a break (and that means no social media scrolling)
As mentioned in our previous article, stepping away from the screen is invaluable to productivity levels. It would be easy to get stuck into something at home or enthralled in a social media scroll.
So, when you take a break make sure you avoid all screens. Enjoy a chat with friends, family or colleagues on the phone (forget Zoom for 5 minutes). Or try stepping outside and breathing in some fresh winter air to clear the mind.
#4 Write a plan the night before
If you wake up and try to get straight into work you might find yourself in task mode straight away and those pesky emails might be a distraction.
#5 Review your goals for the day
Now you have a plan from the previous day, you can review your goals for the day. Be really clear on what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve it.
#6 Check your surroundings before you sit down
Have you got everything you need for the day? Is that laptop charger nearby? Is that cup filled with your drink of choice? And do you have a pen and paper ready?
Don’t forget the final mirror check to make sure your hair is Zoom meeting ready!
#7 Use positive affirmations to improve your mindset
Mental health is a big topic this year and having the right mindset is key to keeping yourself going through this global crisis. Check out the video over on our Facebook page and listen to business coach and managing director with Matt Ewer as he talks about his top tips including how to set affirmations.
#8 Don’t skip lunch (or breakfast)
Don’t let your commitment to work play havoc with your eating habits. Looking after yourself is caring for your business too, remember.
Many people have complained about Zoom fatigue from having back-to-back meetings. Pre-2020, you would have time to unwind between meetings either by moving sites, rooms or just simply having a breather. Don’t forget to keep those consistent even when working from home.
If it will help then block out a lunch schedule every day to make sure people don’t disturb you on lunch or try to book a meeting when you are taking some much-needed breathing space.
#9 Share your schedule with others
If you have other people working from home too then consider sharing your schedule so they know when you are likely to be busy on calls and avoid those awkward background scenes on Zoom!
#10 Pack away at the end of the day
The lines between work and home are blurring and switching off can be hard. One trick that you might want to try is closing that office door or packing away your tools and laptop at the end of each day.
Keep your home office environment out of sight so you can truly switch off to allow yourself to be productive the next day.
We hope you found these tips useful. Share your home working ideas with our community over on our Facebook page.
