8 tips for being highly productive working from home
When you hear someone say they have “home office” you know the first thing you picture is them sitting on their couch, in their underwear, wearing a professional top just in case of a conference call. That’s what I picture anyway.
For some reason, working from home has a bad reputation for laziness and watching TV. Though that is the reality for some people, a study recently showed that remote workers ended up working 16.8 more days a year than their office counterparts*. But finding the motivation can be hard. Sometimes, you just wanna be the person in your underwear working from the comfort of your couch with Friends playing in the background.
We’ve found it’s all about balance. Here are our tips for being highly productive working from home:
- Be serious about your work schedule
The tempting thing about remote working is an undefined work schedule. But even if you’re home, or working while traveling, respect your work hours. If you start work at 7, wake up at least 30 min before you start, get showered, brush your teeth, stretch and make your way to your work area. This also goes for your ending time. If you get off of work at 4, log off at that time.
2. Set up a work area or office
This one is important. If you’re working from home, avoid the couch or the bed becoming your workspace. Though tempting, cushions as work chairs can be the most dangerous. Get serious, sit at a chair with a proper desk where your computer is at a healthy eye level. And if you can, make sure your workspace is equipped with a large glass of water, fast internet connection, and other office supplies you might need!
3. Daily Check-Ins & Communications
Communication with your team is integral for a successful home office routine. We suggest checking in every morning, with a short to-do list of what you want to accomplish that day. It is also important to understand that just because you’re working remotely, it doesn’t mean you will be super busy every day. It’s okay to let your team know that you have some extra time. Make sure that you are trying your best to foster a team environment, and reach out to a coworker to see how you can help someone else out.
4. Take some breaks
Listen up, ladies and gents! Working from home means you have constant access to your fridge and your pantry. Don’t fall into the trap! Set aside your food for the day and bring it with you to your work area. Set eating times and respect yourself and your food! Drink lots of water and try to use remote working as an inspiration to get moving more easily. Another good way to avoid snacking is to only go to the kitchen when you eat lunch or grab a coffee.
6. Get Social
One of the greatest discouragements of working from home is loneliness. Loneliness can be a killjoy and a kill productivity. Your first weeks of working remotely set aside 2 days a week that are dedicated to scouting coworking spaces, coffee shops, friends living rooms, or libraries and choose your favorites! Frequent these places on a weekly occurrence, and stay on schedule with when you go. By the time you know it, your barista will know your coffee order (shoutout Alejandro) and you’ll start to recognize other people similar to you. This little nomad community of yours will encourage you to keep at it! It is also probably a good thing if you’re motivated to get dressed at least a few times a week.
7. Set Goals
Yes! You can work remotely and still grow in your career. Set professional goals for yourself and review them monthly, weekly or daily as you see fit. Keeping your goals close in sight will remind you of why you need to be highly motivated this week.
8. Request check-ins
Ask your boss for weekly check-ins where feedback can be given on how you’re working, what needs to improve and what is working well. These check-ins will keep you in line with your tasks and will show a level of proactivity from your superiors that they will definitely admire. If you love your remote job, this is a surefire way to keep it and to grow.
As you can imagine, everyone works differently, so sit down and think of other ways that you can be productive. Ask yourself questions like “what motivates me in an office?” and see how you can mimic that in a home setting. Working from home is a true privilege, so make sure to intentionally set limits for yourself.
We want to make sure you are happy and productive at your remote job, even if it is in your undies!
