Working from home: 10 tips to stay happy, efficient and healthy. The rise of remote working has made professional routines more flexible, thus promoting the generalization of working from home. With the advent of the Internet, working methods have become a subject of ongoing interest. Some countries have even adopted the four-day week, and several businesses now offer flexible hours, moving away from the traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Working from home has quickly become one of the most popular forms of what we call “flexible working,” and it has a number of advantages. In terms of productivity, employee retention, and cost reduction, working from home is critical to improving employee well-being and productivity. Moreover, with the uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become crucial for businesses around the world to adopt this way of working, which is not only efficient, but also simple and reduces stress significantly.
How do you make working from home both positive and successful? Here's how!
1. How do you stay productive in a family environment?
Working from home, whether in an office or on the couch, can make it difficult to focus. Many think that the absence of supervision from superiors and the presence of colleagues makes remote work chaotic and less productive, but numerous studies contradict this idea. However, it is important to follow certain practices for teleworking to be effective.
Here are some essential tips for maintaining productivity (and mental health) while working from home.
Get dressed for the day
Whether or not you have a video conference, dressing for work is an important psychological act in preparing for a productive day. No need to wear heels or a suit, but showering, shaving, and dressing decently, in case a friend drops by out of the blue, can help you avoid the lethargy that's often associated with sleepwear. It's about maintaining a routine similar to the one you had in the office.
“Establish rituals and manage your day in a disciplined manner,” recommends Tsedal Neeley, a professor at Harvard Business School. “Set a start and end time. Have a routine. Take a shower, get dressed, even if it's not your usual work outfit, and then start your activities. If you're in the habit of exercising, incorporate it into your day.”
Maintain regular schedules
Although remote work offers the flexibility of not having to travel and respect strict schedules, to remain productive, it is advisable to maintain regular schedules. This includes breaks you would normally take in the office. For example, it's good to take a break to do household chores, but try to limit these interruptions to 15 minutes, just like you would for a coffee break. Don't overlook your 1-hour lunch break either - it's crucial for regaining strength for the afternoon and completing your tasks.
If you're used to following an office schedule or to-do list, continue to do it from home. Keep an agenda on your desk to jot down your ideas. Create a mini office canva_telework_home/office What makes an office professional? It is a space designed for work. Try to recreate a similar space at home, with at the very least a desk, natural light, and a comfortable chair, just like in your regular office. You can add other items later, such as noise-cancelling headphones, a coffee machine, a neck cushion, an ergonomic seat, etc. Put in place anything at home that can replicate your work environment.
Keep the meetings going
The fact that you and your colleagues are not in the same room does not mean that you should stop collaborating, such as during meetings or brainstorming sessions. Complicated conference calls are over - virtual meetings via apps like Zoom, Skype for Business, and Google Hangout have made it easy to work collaboratively remotely. Don't just focus on work during these meetings like you would in the office, Neeley insists.
“Since you're no longer having casual conversations around the coffee machine and people are learning to work from home, spend the first few minutes of a meeting making sure everyone is doing well,” she advises. “Don't jump right into the agenda. Ask everyone how they are doing, starting with the most recent member of the team or the one who speaks the least. Also, share things about yourself, to set an example. Then, discuss the key points of the meeting, and lead by example in how to interact, ask questions, or use your favorite technology.”
Take advantage of the benefits
Productivity is important, but so is your mental health and well-being. Don't deprive yourself of the advantages of teleworking, take advantage of them! You'll be happier, healthier, and more productive. Listen to the music you love, choose a playlist of natural sounds on Noisli to stay focused, nap for 15 minutes during your lunch break, and use the time saved on trips to prepare your meals for the evening and the week. Taking full advantage of this experience is the best way to motivate yourself to get up and be at your desk every day.
Health: separate professional and family life
As in professional offices, there should be rules of conduct, more or less official, in your home office. Establish rules for yourself that clearly separate work and family. If you're working from your couch in your pajamas, for example, the end of your workday and the start of your evening won't be distinct enough, and you'll likely feel like you're still working. The more you manage to create a work “bubble” at home, the more you will feel the end of the working day.
Also, put in place rules that are not related to work. Try to get out in the sun several times a day - if only to get the mail, stretch, or finish a cup of tea - and make sure you have at least one conversation a day with a team member, even if it seems superfluous. These short breaks will help you stay connected to the outside world.
How to relax after work
Teleworking can make it difficult to separate work and private life. In the same way that you forget about work when leaving your desk, you need to set clear boundaries. Don't let work interfere with your evening - turn off your laptop, turn off notifications, and stop working at the scheduled time, no matter where you are with your tasks.
Incorporate exercises and breaks
To improve your well-being, exercise and regular breaks are essential - and they don't have to be long. Plan a 15-minute yoga session on your balcony or in your garden after your morning meeting, or insert a meditation session on Calm or Headspace during your afternoon break. You can also include kinesiology exercises (Brain Gym) in your workday to improve your concentration and learning abilities.
Technological tips to maintain collaboration while working from home Strengthening communication processes is crucial for the proper functioning of a team.
Whatever technology you choose, make sure your team is well-versed in it. Use Slack for quick exchanges (like the ones you would have in the office), keep emails for formal communication, use Zoom for face-to-face meetings, and invest time (and money, if possible) in team tracking tools like monday.com or Trello to track everyone's progress on tasks.
Here are a few apps that can help you improve your personal productivity:
Timeful
If you manage your tasks in blocks of time, this smart app can help you schedule them. It syncs with your calendar and, if there is a conflict, automatically suggests another time slot.
Noisli
If Spotify distracts you too much during work, try Noisli, an app that plays soothing background noises like a campfire or wind to help you relax and focus.
Post-it app
Do you prefer more “concrete” task tracking? The Post-it app captures your brainstorming sessions and facilitates professional collaboration.
Flock
If you like collaboration in your work, try this app! Conversations can be individual or in groups, with screen sharing and a bookmarking system for collaborators.
