Working from the comfort of your own home comes with lots of benefits, including no more long commutes to the office! But sometimes when working remotely it can be hard to focus and concentrate on actually working.
Follow these tips to ensure productivity whilst you are working from home.
Tips to ensure productivity whilst working remotely
Create your own work area
If you do not have a spare room you can turn into your own home office, you can create a designated work station area. This could be as simple as using your dining room table. Avoid working from your sofa in front of the TV and definitely get out of bed.
Active listening
The ratio of the information you hear to what you retain can be surprising. If you find yourself in video meetings with your attention waning, then you are probably listening passively rather than actively. Try focusing on what the speaker is saying, give them your full attention and take down relevant notes.
Find focus
To be mindful at work means to be consciously present in what you are doing at the time. Give each task your full attention. Setting a timer for each piece of work you have to do may help to keep you on track. Commit to not looking at your phone or anything other than the task at hand while the timer is running.
Forget multi-tasking
Forget the myth that multi-tasking is productive, as stated in the point above, it is better (and less stressful) to focus your full attention on one task at a time than try to spread yourself too thinly.
Clear your mind
A few minutes of deep breathing is an effective form of meditation that can be done anywhere. Studies suggest that even focusing on the breath for a few moments can relieve you of whatever anxiety or tension you are harbouring. Take two minutes every hour to focus on your breathing, imagining tension and worry leaving your body on each exhalation.
Take breaks
It is important, even on busy days, to get time away from your computer. If possible, try to get a change of scenery and eat away from your home office environment. Taking a few minutes throughout the day to stand, stretch and walk around will do both your mind and body a favour.
Make goals
Make goals and write them down. Making a list of things you want to achieve will automatically make you feel like you are being proactive and will shift you into a more positive mindset.
More advice on working from home during the Coronavirus crisis can be found in nijobfinder’s advice area.
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