Millions of employees across the US are working from home to help stifle the spread of COVID-19. And while chipping away at work from the comfort of our sofa (preferably in PJs) has its perks, it also introduces some big challenges—especially if you live with others. For many of us, home is a place to unwind and play, not telecommute. So if you want to match the level of productivity you have in the office, you’ll need a bit of planning and a lot of discipline.
Here are a few tips and tricks from Snap Agency to help you work from home more efficiently:
1. Sort out Your Technology
Depending on your role and day-to-day tasks, you may need several different technologies to work at home. Will you be sharing your computer screen with other members of your team—or hosting video conferences with clients each day? In any case, you’ll need to have the proper applications and tech installed to work at your best.
When in doubt, reach out to your supervisor or IT department for support. Many companies are building more detailed instructions to help workers adjust to remote work. They may also be able to help you troubleshoot issues you’re having with internet speed or connection issues. Get those problems looked at and addressed sooner rather than later; we could all be working from home for a while.
2. Set Boundaries to Stay Focused
One of the most difficult parts about working from home is grappling with distractions. Your living space is full of things you like (from housemates to hobbies), which makes it tough to stay focused on the work. In a situation like this, it’s important to understand when and where you’re most productive.
Start off by choosing a dedicated workspace in your home. It can be a desk, a table, or even a sofa—as long as it’s a place that’s comfortable and light on distractions. If you live with other people, let them know that you’ll be working in that space, and talk through your schedule so you won’t be interrupted. Set whatever boundaries you need to minimize intrusions in your workflow, particularly if you’re using video conferencing.
3. Schedule Daily Breaks
Another challenge of working from home is balancing productive time with breaks. When we’re in a traditional office, we have lunches with coworkers or internal meetings to help us get away from all the screens and enjoy some social time. In contrast, working from home can isolate us and throw that balance off. That’s why it’s so important to schedule breaks into your WFH days.
Set a clear time frame for your breaks, and update your calendar so members of your team know where you’ll be. You don’t have to spend them alone either: one of our favorite tricks is to video chat each other to socialize while we eat. Moreover, don’t underestimate the importance of taking breaks from your computer. Try to slot in 5- to 10-minute breaks for every hour of computer time.
Contact Snap Agency
We hope these tricks will help you make the most out of your WFH time. Feel free to connect with us online if you want any more advice on working from home—or what our digital marketing team can do for your business. Stay safe and talk soon.