7 tips for ensuring productivity while working from home

You have power over your mind- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

-- Marcus Aurelius

Has social isolation been taking a toll on your personal and professional life? Have you been feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world at the moment? The unfolding global health situation is sending an increasing number of people away from traditional offices. Many companies are implementing work from home policies- the new reality for a lot of people across the globe. The pandemic is forcing people into flexible work arrangements as the daily routines have been uprooted. The striking change has led to low efficiency, confusion, and general anxiety. For many of us, who are accustomed to the social work environment, this isolation might be a little daunting. Not only does it disrupt your work routine, but it may also strain your mental health.

As a result of the new environment everyone would be working in, a new approach to scheduling would help. Reorganizing and rethinking how you can attain the maximum results each day could boost your efficiency. Because of the deeply embedded patterns, you may take some time to adjust to the new environment. Here are seven practical tips to ensure productivity while you stay at home.

7 Tips while working from home

Structuring your day

For a lot of us, the lines between work and home have blurred in the current situation. As a result of this, we end up wasting huge amounts of time every day. Separating your work mode from leisure mode is the first step towards productivity. As things around us change, we must find ways to increase a sense of being in control. Designing an efficient schedule and following it would help you realign your time and give you a sense of purpose and clarity. Make sure this schedule is realistic and doable. This routine is imperative to keep a positive mind-frame and maintain a semblance of normalcy. It is the key to staying focused and enhancing your performance.

Dress up properly

Under the abnormal circumstances of these times, working in your pajamas with scattered hair might be a tempting thought. However, giving in to this temptation might lower your overall productivity and waste a lot of time. Getting dressed might seem like a simple tip, but it is a crucial one. It makes you feel confident and boost your morale. Role-playing helps you get more results and draws the line between being at work and being at home. Feeling good about yourself is especially important in a time where you feel cut off from the real world.

Create boundaries

Are you finding it difficult to work without interruptions at home? If your answer is yes, creating boundaries might be useful. It would help if you kept specific work hours in the day and fully disconnect from work at the decided time. If this does not happen, you may struggle to balance your work productivity and home life. It is important to note that you are in charge of the environment at home and have to treat yourself like an employee. This implies that self-discipline holds the utmost importance, and you need to hold yourself accountable for things you didn’t do right.

Designate a workspace

For people habituated to going to the office every day, the separation between work and home is physical. While remotely working, your home office takes a whole new level of significance. You might want to recreate your workstation to feel comfortable. Hence, designating a workspace in your home, ideally with good lighting, could help get better results.

Know when to take a break

Breaking up your day into manageable time blocks and taking a break in between could enhance your performance. At home, it’s easier to sit and work for hours on end. This can tire you out and send your productivity plummeting. At the same time, taking frequent, unplanned breaks might also prove to be an obstacle in achieving your goals. Scheduling your breaks as per your convenience could be a better option.

Balancing your social media consumption

Do you open Instagram and mindlessly scroll till you realize you have pending work? Distraction is one of the biggest challenges that people face while working from home. In these testing times, social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and more act as facilitators of misinformation. These exaggerated claims and unverified rumors may lead to fear and panic among people. Moreover, it might affect your mental health and hamper your productivity. However, at the same time, if you follow reliable pages on social media, they keep you updated and informed about the world happenings. It is extremely important for you to balance your social media consumption.

Often, social media obsession, especially during home isolation, may interfere with your sleep schedule. Monitoring your screen time and getting a sound sleep can improve your productivity.

Communicate

Keeping in constant touch with your seniors and coworkers can be a source of motivation and provide clarity. Moreover, this direct contact can curb miscommunication and reduce the social isolation that usually accompanies work from home. If you hesitate to reach out to the people you used to in the office, it might delay your work and create confusion.

Final thoughts

As you figure out your way through the new normal, remember that everyone has a different style of working. It could take you some time to figure out a system that works best for you. Incorporating the few changes, as mentioned above in your schedule, could help boost your productivity. Lastly, stay committed to your goals.