How to make the most of working from home?
The ongoing epidemic means many of us have to work from home, or are preparing to do so.
As coronavirus spreads, canceled events and stock market declines are not the only things affecting companies. Countless employees around the world are adapting to staying at home, and offices are trying to find ways to quickly adjust to remote work.
Twitter has ordered all 5,000 of its employees to work from home. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, sent a note encouraging office employees not to come into the office, and the company has taken steps to reduce "population density" in its stores. In Poland too, for example, employees of public institutions are working in a limited capacity. Some employees have been sent home, and the Tax Office is not serving taxpayers filing PIT returns in person.
If you have no experience with remote work, at first it may look like a vacation. The opportunity to skip the stressful commute and lie on the couch with a laptop on your chest is truly wonderful. Remote work can also be isolating and full of distractions. To make working from home more effective and enjoyable, here are a few small tips on how to do it.
Stick to a schedule
Stick to a schedule
According to the expert, the main obstacle to working at home is procrastination. "In the comfort of your own home, you suddenly feel the need and energy to do things that distract you from work: spring cleaning in the closets, washing the fridge, washing the windows, organizing photos, etc."
How to work effectively from home during an epidemic
Combining laundry with responsibilities can be tempting when the laundry is right there, especially if your day is not filled with meetings and deadlines. If you work alone, without tracking hours, the trick to avoid dragging things out is to be your own boss. Set your own working hours, deadlines, and breaks, and stick to them as much as you can.
Breaks
Breaks
If you have trouble concentrating and start to feel yourself drifting into daydreams, it may be a good idea to take a 15-minute break from work, do a few squats, maybe a quick yoga session? That should help you get the energy to get back to work.
Designate a home office
Designate a home office
It is worth designating a space for work. Avoid papers scattered all over the house; instead, we recommend gathering everything in one place and creating a work zone. This will help not only with concentration, but also signal to other household members that you are working at that moment. Remember to explain to the other household members that this is your office and to set rules that will allow you to work comfortably.
Summary
Working from home, forced by the coronavirus epidemic, requires introducing new habits. It is key to establish a schedule that helps avoid procrastination, as well as regular breaks — even 15 minutes of exercise improves concentration. It is also important to set aside a permanent place to work and to communicate to household members that you cannot be disturbed during that time. Twitter and Apple show that remote work affects even large corporations, and in Poland restrictions have been introduced, among others, in public institutions.
