Like most tasks done successfully in life you must be able to find a way to establish good habits or routine, plus find a harmonious balance. When working from home, you must be able to avoid being distracted and/or pulled in many directions at once. Below are some good habits to establish in order find the balance you need throughout your day:
1. Create a dedicated office space with set office hours
When you share your bedroom with office space, it not only feels cramped, but it’s easier for you to end up working longer hours. While space might be at a premium and you do not have an entire room, you also can create a desk, convert a large closet or even a balcony into a dedicated work area. Think of adding office elements such as pen holders, calendars, or a whiteboard to create a functional office space. This will make you more productive as you mentally associate the space with work. Also make sure to set specific office hours. Not only will your brain snap in and out of work mode more easily, but your coworkers and boss will know when you’re available.
2. Become a proactive communicator
Because you no longer see your coworkers or boss, think of ways to potentially over communicate so everyone understands what needs to be accomplished and when. Use email, phone calls, video calls, online chat, and texting to communicate. Ask for preferences but also enquire whether it’s okay to share each other’s personal cell phone numbers and determine expectations. Set up weekly check in meetings with those you collaborate with the most. If you sense a misunderstanding, take care of it immediately. Don’t let things fester or grow out of proportion instead get on the phone and talk to someone. Written communication can be easily misread so if there’s a difficult conversation, pick up the phone.
3. Plan out your day yet also keep mental space for flexibility
The more structure you can create the less likely you will be sidetracked or distracted. Create to-do lists, set goals, and come up with a schedule, even if it’s mapping out your day on Outlook via your calendar. By setting internal deadlines for yourself, you can more easily keep on track. For example, you can set up the first hour of your workday as the time you respond to emails then perhaps set up the next two hours as deep focus work dedicated to write a proposal. You might even consider setting up a schedule for breaks and lunch hours. At the same time, recognize the importance of changing course and taking care of unpredicted emergencies. Demonstrating a level of flexibility will go a long way in establishing good relationships and potentially see you as a needed problem solver.
4. Utilize time management software tools
If you work at a company that utilizes Microsoft 365 then you might have access to several programs to assist you with your time management. Planner, OneNote, and Sticky Notes can easily be accessed online. If you go to office.com, you will be prompted to sign into an account then you can find Planner, OneNote, and Teams. If your company uses Teams for virtual meetings, you might consider adding Planner to Teams as an easy way to add and organize tasks. You can share your plans with your boss or coworkers so they can view your progress. If you prefer Sticky Notes on your computer as a reminder, Microsoft offers a free version for Windows 10.
5. Take breaks but steer clear of personal tasks
You might easily find it more challenging to stop for breaks when working remotely. Make sure you set an alarm to remind yourself to stop and stretch your legs or take a quick walk to clear your head. Studies have shown breaks lead to higher productivity and a more balanced emotional health. While it might be okay to throw in a load of laundry or walk down the street to pick up your daily mail, avoid doing long or complicated personal tasks during the workday. Deciding to clean the oven or stain a deck will make your day go much longer and provide too many interruptions that will keep you from your work tasks. While it might be tempting to blur the lines of work and personal by working later at night, it might only end up in burnout.