Apart from key workers, everybody in the UK should now be working from home after orders from the government. Isolation and social distancing are important for flattening the curve and slowing down the spread of coronavirus.
During COVID-19, working from home can be difficult. There are a lot of distractions around the home and it can be difficult to separate work from play. This is particularly true if you’ve never worked remotely before. Here’s how you can be more productive over the next couple of weeks.
Work at a Desk
When you’re working from home, you can get your work done wherever you want. For example, you can lay in bed, sit on the sofa or even in the garden. However, the best thing you can do for productivity is have a designated work space at a desk. All of these other places mentioned remind your brain of other activities, such as sleeping and relaxing. Working at a desk can mimic working in the office.
https://pixabay.com/photos/macbook-notebook-home-office-336704/
Minimise Distractions
Be proactive when it comes to managing distractions. Before your working day begins, get everything ready so you won’t procrastinate. For example, have your mobile phone on the other side of the room. Have your coffee ready and even have a snack on your desk in case you get hungry. If you’ve got family, let them know the hours you’re working so they won’t disturb you.
Have a Break and Take a Walk
You’re still allowed out for one form of exercise per day. During the week when you’re working from home, this can be beneficial for energy and concentration. Staring at the same four walls all day gets boring. To stay motivated, take regular breaks and move away from your desk and computer screen. Even walk around the house. If you’re looking for some inspiration on your break, read about Tej Kohli.
Keep in Contact with Colleagues
Most people are used to an office environment surrounded by colleagues. Remain social at home using video calls, emails or live messaging to speak to your team. Keep up-to-date with their progress with projects, as well as catching up with other work issues. This is going to bring some normality to your working day and make you feel less alone. It’ll also make sure that you stay in the loop and know what’s going on. It’s easy to miss important emails during the day. But video calling and messaging means you’re always in touch.
https://pixabay.com/photos/webinar-video-conference-skype-4216601/
Schedule Your Day
At the beginning of each new day, plan out what you want to achieve using a tool like Kanbanchi. Making a list and schedule is a good way to stay on track and remain organised. While everything else around you has changed, you still need to get your core work done during isolation. Having all of your tasks set out in front of you can let you see what you need to achieve today. What’s more, you can feel accomplished and motivated when you see that you’ve completed all of your tasks.