Staying productive and secure while working from home

Remote work has been slowly gaining traction in recent years, but the global pandemic has prompted many people to work from their homes for the first time. The transition has not been without issues, especially as 45% of U.S. employees experienced burnout by early April. This new mode of working presents a new set of challenges, namely a lack of work-life balance and an increased focus on cybersecurity.

With that in mind, we’re sharing seven tips that will help you adjust to remote work during this transition and stay secure at home.

1. Create a workspace

In a typical office, many people decorate and equip their desks with tools and other items that help them throughout the workday. Though you may not have the resources to set up computer monitors or a snack machine, it is still important to create a space conducive to work within your own home.

While your bed may seem like a tempting place to begin work in the morning, it’s better for your back (and your sleep) to find a table and supportive chair. If possible, a quiet room, away from where you sleep, where you can focus and be comfortable is a great place to start. Next, consider what makes your desk at your office helpful for you. Do you always have a notepad or snacks? Do you prefer to have printed copies of important documents? Is your laptop equipped with all the tools you need for a productive workday? Do what you can to make your at-home workstation work for you.

2. Update your devices

Keeping your devices updated is an easy step to take towards staying secure at home. With the newest software and security updates, you can ensure that your devices are running on the most secure platform possible. Do you have all the software and security patches updated on your home PC?

3. Keep a routine

Staying at home for an extended period of time can make it easy to lose track of time and stay productive. To keep yourself on track, create a daily routine for yourself. It can look different depending on your individual needs, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

• Wake up at the same time each day.
• Follow a morning routine that takes you away from your phone and email. Use meditation, journaling, or reading to do just that.
• Eat meals at the same times each day.
• Find a time management system that works for you (Pomodoro technique, time blocking, etc.).
• Stop working at the same time each day.

3. Open emails with caution

While most email systems weed out potentially dangerous emails, some concerning content can still make its way to your inbox. Keep an eye out for emails coming from unknown senders, as they could be a scam.

4. Set office hours

When working remotely, setting boundaries is crucial. Oftentimes, working from home can create an urgency to quickly respond to all communications. While your team needs to know that they can reach you, constantly responding to emails and messages can make it difficult to get any work done. Instead, consider setting office hours to let your team members know when they can expect a response from you. If anything requires an immediate response, give your team a way to reach you that will get your attention quickly. Otherwise, respect your office hours and check your email or messages during the times you set up.

5. Watch out for dodgy downloads

It can be tempting to quickly download apps that promise to make your life or work easier, but make sure to do your research on them first. Before downloading anything, make sure that it comes from a trusted source, and watch out for apps and downloads that might be dangerous for your cybersecurity.

6. Take breaks

When you’re working in an office, taking breaks can feel more easily accessible. You might take time to eat lunch with your team or grab coffee with a coworker. Working from home, on the other hand, can make these breaks seem like distractions. If you find yourself eating lunch at your computer or working through the majority of the day without getting up from your desk, consider scheduling breaks into your day.

Take 30 minutes or an hour to eat lunch away from your desk. Get up and stretch every hour or so or take a walk around the block to get fresh air. The work will still be there when you get back, and you’re more likely to be productive if you give yourself breaks throughout the day.

7. Set yourself up for success

Working at home presents a new set of distractions that the office doesn’t have. It may be tempting to spend significantly more time on social media, or even watch an episode on Netflix here and there. It’s helpful to find a routine that works for you and stick to it by limiting distractions. Put down your phone when you’re working, and don’t check social media during the workday. If you need to write something but keep getting distracted, consider downloading Cold Turkey Writer, which limits your ability to do anything on your computer other than write.

Take steps to make your days as seamless as possible, too. Consider meal-prepping, so you’re not spending too much time cooking each day. Set out your clothes the night before, so you don’t have to make that decisions in the morning. Create systems that help you get your daily and weekly chores done as efficiently as possible.