How to work from home: remote work tips from experts
The Coronavirus Disease pandemic has drastically changed the way people live. Due to the urgency of practicing social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19, companies worldwide have now mostly shifted to a work-from-home setup.
While some professionals have already been doing remote work, many are still newbies to remote work or telecommuting.
To help working professionals who suddenly found themselves needing to work from home, below are some tips on how you can work effectively from home.
Work from home effectively with these tips
1. Set up a mini office or workspace
Having a conducive working environment should be your topmost priority. After all, being comfortable will do you wonders when you work from home.
Try to find a quiet room or corner in the house and make sure you have ample space on your desk for your laptop, smartphone, files, and other stuff that need to be within your reach.
If you don't have an ergonomic chair at home, make sure you sit on the most comfortable chair you can find around the house.
2. Write a to-do list
Much like working in a formal office setting, listing down tasks or deliverables will help you be more organized with your work.
You can easily see which projects you should prioritize and you won't miss any important task that you need to accomplish.
3. Set a work schedule and stick to it
Working from home can create the illusion that you have time to do some personal stuff or household chores since you're in the comfort of your own house.
But, doing so might eat up the time you need to finish your work. It's best to create a work schedule that specifies the time you devote for work and the time when you take breaks.
4. Take breaks
Yes, you need to take breaks too when working from home. Take time to eat, drink water, have coffee, go to the bathroom, and do some stretches every once in a while.
5. Avoid distractions
One of the greatest challenges of working from home is staying focused, as there could be a lot of distractions at home. There's the TV, your comfy bed, your chatty relative, and rowdy children or pets.
It's always best to isolate yourself from family, friends, and fur babies while you work.
6. Inform friends and loved ones about your schedule
In order to carry out tip number five successfully, you would need to inform your family and friends about your work schedule, so they'll be aware of when they can approach you or not, especially if there's no urgent matter that needs your attention.
7. Stay in the loop
Staying connected to your colleagues and bosses when doing remote work is vital. Make sure you're online from the start until the end of your shift. Check e-mails and group chats constantly.
8. Dress up or look presentable
You might think it's weird to dress up when working from home, but it's actually highly recommended by those who've been doing remote work for years.
They say it will get you into the "time to work" mindset and you'll also be ready to make or answer video calls, should the need arise.
Shifting to a work-from-home setup will take some getting used to.
But over time, you'll surely be able to figure out how to thrive in the new work arrangement.
Hope these tips will help you be more productive while working from home, mga Kapuso!
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