After covid 19, the way that we work has changed drastically. Before 2020, most people worked from the office 5 days a week and in person meeting were the norm. But after the lockdown, when everyone had to start working from home, the way people work has never been the same. These days, it’s the norm to work hybridly, with many working from home at least twice a week, whereas others work completely remotely.
Although there are many positives to working from home, including the reduction in commuting time, which is seen to improve mental health and overall happiness, there are still struggles which come along with working from home in the long term. Working out of the office can come with many challenges, with distractions and overworking, which can significantly reduce productivity and quality of work.
This can become an issue for any working hybridly or remotely, with many wanting to find solutions to this problem. Well, this article aims to give those who work from home ways that they can optimise their productivity when working from home so that they can continue to produce high-quality work, whether they are in or out of the office.
1. Create a dedicated workspace
Many face issues with creating a dedicated work space. Not only is this important to avoid distractions that are common around the home, such as pets or other people who live in your home, but it’s essential to split your work life from your home life. Many can face issues with burnout and stress when they do not separate their home life, which can lead to insulation and a lower productivity overall.
This is where creating an office or even a corner where you work is essential, especially for phone jobs such as a phone answering service. Many think that these areas have to be boring and isolated; however, positioning your desk in front of a window gives you light as well as a view to look at.
2. Time management and focus
Ensuring that you tackle and master time management is the key to at-home working. Instead of a never-ending to-do list for the week, adopt the 3-3-3 rule, which can break your day into 3 parts. The first section of your day should focus on 3 hours of deep and uninterrupted work where your brain is feeling fresh, then do 3 hours of important tasks which need to get done for that day, and then for the last part of your day, aim to do 3 smaller maintenance tasks.
If you are a smaller business that works from home and you feel overwhelmed with tasks, you want to outsource elements, such as calls, with the help of a virtual receptionist service, such as Posh.
3. Establish firm boundaries
Ensuring that you create firm boundaries with yourself can help to avoid burnout, which can spiral into affecting productivity. This means giving yourself a firm time to start and inspire work. This prevents working at late hours of the night, which can ruin your sleeping schedule and have a knock-on effect on your physical and mental health.