Tips For Staying Productive Working Remotely
No matter who or where you are, you have likely felt the jarring impact of COVID-19 in more than one way. For a lot of us, the change to remote work has been at the forefront of the day-to-day struggles brought about by 2020.
For generations, workers in almost every industry have relied upon the dynamic of a shared workspace for motivation, camaraderie, and clear boundaries between work and home life. For many, however, that has now changed, as social distancing has become our top priority.
Adjusting to a remote work situation can be fraught with challenges that test us in new and unforeseen ways.
With this in mind, I’ve delved into structures and techniques that will allow you to master your new circumstances and stay on top of your professional game.
1. Stay Social
It can be both easy and tempting to slip into a solitary lifestyle while working from home. Most of us take for granted the social interaction that used to be part of every workday. Only once it’s gone do we realize just how much we relied on it for our mental health and sanity.
Funny how those watercooler chats or catch ups in the corridor were insignificant then, but now have a lot more meaning...
Research into social connection has shown that socializing is vital for the maintenance of both physical and mental health. Depression, stress, and anxiety levels drop significantly when we regularly connect with others on a personal level.
Sharing your goals, fears, thoughts, and emotions with friends and family helps keep you motivated and clear-headed.
2. Separate Your Workspace from Your Living Space
Our surroundings influence the way our brains function. We create subconscious associations with the spaces in our homes. For instance, walking into the kitchen often causes us to crave a snack or a cup of tea. It’s important to be mindful of forming the right associations with certain spaces in our homes.
It may be tempting to work in your living room or bedroom because you feel comfortable there. But your brain is conditioned to see these areas as spaces dedicated to relaxation. By using them for work, you may impede your productivity and motivation. Plus, you may find it difficult to relax or sleep well in areas you use for work.
Selecting a room or corner of your home dedicated solely to work will help your brain form healthy associations. These associations will put you in a productive mindset and keep your rest areas for when you’re ready to wind down.
3. Stick to a Schedule
One upside of working remotely is that it often presents an opportunity for flexibility in work hours. While this can be convenient and exciting, it can also lead to our schedules and daily patterns becoming warped.
Blurring the lines between home life and work is a slippery slope that can cause major disruption to both spheres of your daily routine.
Endeavour to start your day early, get dressed, have a healthy breakfast, and start work at the same time each day. While taking small breaks now and then is healthy, don’t let your newfound freedom plunge you into a state of laxity that ends up causing you more harm than good.
4. Don’t Sabotage Yourself with Distractions
Working from home requires a surprising amount of discipline. Our homes are full of potential distractions that differ from those found in the average office environment.
Attempt to remove diversions from your workspace.
Hide the TV remote, mute your social media, and complete important tasks either before you start working or leave them for the end of the workday. Working remotely is all about cultivating an environment that’s conducive to focus, motivation, and productivity.
5. Take Regular Breaks
While discipline and focus are key aspects of a solid workday, don’t forget to give your brain a rest once in a while. Self-motivating in a remote work environment requires a delicate balance between discipline and self-care. Forcing yourself to carry on when you’re showing signs of excess stress or fatigue will only hinder you in the long run.
Studies show that taking regular small breaks and one longer interval throughout the workday helps return your mind and body to a state of readiness and focus. These breaks also help to prevent cumulative stress and prevent your body from taking strain.
While employers may fret about the time lost during these “micro-breaks”, evidence suggests that productivity and morale rise significantly when incorporated into the workday.
6. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is vital for almost every aspect of life. We all know that hydration is essential for our bodily wellbeing, but it’s also a key element of a productive workday.
Dehydration leads to headaches, lack of focus, a drop in energy levels, and a rise in negative moods.
Keeping a bottle of water at your desk and getting into the habit of refilling it whenever it runs out will keep your hydration levels (and motivation levels) optimal.
7. Create a Playlist for Work Hours
With music, everyone is different. Some people enjoy the background noise while others find it distracting. Surveys have suggested that most workers in office environments are happier and more productive when music is playing in the background.
Of course, it’s important to be selective about the tunes you pick. Lyric-heavy, loud, or disruptive music can impair concentration rather than aid it. Create a playlist that features calm, instrumental songs to keep you relaxed and focused.
8. Know Your Limits
Without an imposed structure, some of us become so engrossed in our work that we don’t know when to stop.
If you’re struggling to walk away from your laptop or step away from your desk, try setting a time that marks the end of the workday. And stick to it. This time doesn’t have to be set in stone, but pushing yourself to keep working longer than 6-8 hours will not do you any favors in the long run.
With the pandemic posing a health risk, working remotely is the way forward. While it poses new challenges, it shouldn’t put a dampener on your productivity. With these 8 tips, you can adjust to that new normal everyone keeps talking about…