Covid-19 has swiftly become a major disruptor that has drastically shifted how we conduct business. With that, many companies have mandated that their employees work from home until the virus has slowed. People usually fantasize about working from the comfort of their homes to cut back on commuting and even make time for exercise and family. However, working from home has many distractions that mangles productivity, whether it’s doing laundry or eat flaming hot Cheetos while watching Netflix. I asked some of the most productive people how they stay organized and combined responses with the best tips to be productive while working from home.
First thing – Get out of bed, eat breakfast, and put on some pants.
Have a Defined Work Area
Have a space that you designate as your workstation and work out of that space during your work hours instead of working from your bed or couch, which tends to make you too relaxed to be productive. If you don’t have a home office, pick a spot in your home that has low traffic and will enable you to concentrate, minimize distraction, and reduce stress. “Have set work times and stick to it”. According to Khino Dunn, Director of Internal Audit at a leading US Bank “we need to establish boundaries and set a daily work start and end time then take your scheduled breaks as if you were in the office.”
Keep Your Work Area Organized
Keep your command center organized to increase productivity and efficiency. File papers into binders/folders and get rid of things not needed. Have a designated area for all your stationery and keep the area clutter-free.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
A lot of people cannot start the morning without a good cup of coffee and if that’s your thing, then do it! Also, take the extra time to make and eat nutritious foods that will help you stay alert and have consistent energy throughout the day. Stay away from heavy food or items that have too many calories and carbs that will make you want to crawl in bed for naps. Studies have shown that the food you eat can affect your mood, energy level, and productivity.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is the number one way to make yourself feel more energized, so carve out some time in your day to activate your body and increase your energy.
Get Dressed for Work
Why get dressed for work when you can lounge without pants? You can try that, but studies have shown that when you get dressed for work you are more productive. You don’t need to dress like you are in the office and wear your dry-cleaned outfits. However, dress presentably in something comfortable to help get you in work mood and be ready for a last-minute zoom call.
Make a To-do List
No matter how smart or clever you think you are you will never be productive unless you have mastered how to be organized. The key to being organized is to write everything down. Make a to-do list each morning and allocate time for each task to help plan your day. I caught up with Victoria Jenn, Award-Winning Strategist and Founder of the “The Female Collaborative” her top productivity tip is to “not carry guilt if you don’t complete a task right away. Give yourself permission to revisit and complete the task when you are in a better headspace. Knowing when you are most productive is key and is different for everyone. As long as you complete the task on time, that is all that matters. Breathe and try again. One task completed leads to another and the productivity train keeps moving.”
Stay in Touch with Co-Workers
If you work on a team, schedule video calls frequently. This is one sure way of preparing yourself to be accountable and presentable as you know you are expecting to see others. In the current situation where your office has suddenly gone virtual, make sure your manager knows what you’re doing and when. There are plenty of platforms that provide free conference call services.
Resist Doing House Chores
It might seem easy to multitask and start a load of laundry and watch a daytime tv program while you work. Resist the Urge! Stay focused and act as if you are still in the office 10 miles away as much as you can. You will constantly be doing chores as there is always something in the house to do. Leave those projects for after work or on the weekends. Try to clean up the night before so in the mornings you will be focused on starting your day. At the moment, disinfecting is the only good idea.
Avoid Distractions
Noise-canceling headphones are great to limit family and friends or your neighbor’s barking dog. Focus is important and for everyone this might be different. Think about what makes you calm and if it’s music, play some to help keep you focused on your projects. Studies show that music helps to keep you calm and focused.
Managing Kids
Keeping those munchkins productive, engaged, and entertained is no easy task but doable. Depending on their age you can find different activities to engage them with varying levels of supervision. Younger kids will need shorter activities that need minimal supervision. Spend the time planning your day with the activities and have a reward system (yes snacks) to keep them going. You may need to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager so that you can dedicate time to help your kids get through their activities including schoolwork. While you don’t want to work late at night, think about it as if you are shifting around your normal daily routine and bringing forward your after-work activities to accommodate kids when they need you the most. You may find that working after dinner is more productive.
Take Breaks
Taking a break to eat or rest is healthy. Your rest time is just as important as your work time and it will give you a chance to recharge and start back fresh.
Work Hard, Then Turn it Off
You might feel like you are working longer hours at home than you did in the office. It’s easy to keep going, writing just one more email, or completing one more task. Learn to shut it off. Trust your to-do list the next morning.
Above all, be creative, and don’t let your confined circumstances stunt your productivity. Your greatest power is your mindset. It can cripple you or empower you. When you look for the upside in a downside situation and figure out what you can and can’t control, it’s easier to accept whatever is beyond your control.
When you are finished working, enjoy a glass of wine it’s good for your health.
