2020 has brought many changes to how we live our daily lives and work at our various jobs. The concept of remote jobs and working from home has actually been a growing trend for a while, but it is no doubt that covid-19 served as a catalyst for the massive adoption of remote work.
It was fairly common to have work from home arrangements for specific instances and circumstances before the quarantine began, but working from home is the new normal during this quarantine.
What has this taught us? The best lesson anyone can learn from this development is that the road to recovery from covid-19 may be long, but working from home has come to stay. Therefore, the best we can do now is adapt to our new reality of working from home.
For many people, remote work has helped them boost their productivity, while others complain about feeling detached from their work. These are all reasonable discoveries, and it shows that while remote work might be the best way to beat covid-19 safety guidelines and stay productive, it will still require some getting used to.
How then can we adapt to this new reality and feel fulfilled at our jobs? Below are some tips that will come in handy.
- Create an Office Area in Your Home
The best part of remote work is the freedom that comes with it. You don't have to face the daily commute to get to the office, so you can sleep in for as long as you want; work from the comfort of your bed or sofa, wearing your comfortable pajamas; and maybe doing something else on the side. This leads to unproductivity because, let's face it, we are only human, and we can get distracted in our comfort zones.
The best way to combat this distraction is to create a work-only zone where we can have a feeling of being in a traditional office space. This helps to condition our minds to take on tasks and get through the day's work without distractions.
- Create an Effective Time Management Routine
Time management boosts productivity, and that is exactly what every remote worker needs to adopt to stay productive. Subtle distractions can cause us to waste more time to get things done, and without an effective routine, staying productive will become a big issue.
One of the best ways to tackle this issue is to create a rigid schedule to help you manage your time better, stay productive during your work hours, and get enough rest when you get off work.
You can start with an alarm to wake you up for the day, create a rigid schedule for each day, and include breaks in the schedule so you don't get overworked. Doing this will help you adapt to working from home in no time.
- Set Up Your Work Tools To Help You Function Better
As the saying goes, "A workman is only as good as his tools." You should never overlook how helpful your tools can help you stay productive while working from home. Depending on your type of work, it helps to ensure that your tools are set up for each day, and only then can you work productively.
Your communication tools, internet, computer, pen, and notebooks should be readily available and within your reach at all times.
- Do Something You Love In Your Free Time
One of the boons of working from home is that a huge part of our daily work life has been disrupted. Before the quarantine, getting to work in the morning and getting back home in the evening took a sizeable chunk of our time. However, without all the usual activities we have become accustomed to, working from home during this quarantine has left us with more time on our hands. Rather than staying cooped up doing nothing apart from work, it is important to find a way to occupy that free time.
Doing something you love helps to spend time in the best way. Don't just sit idle. Make sure your personal life is filled with enjoyable activities to balance your work life.
- Consider Your Family and Commitments
This depends on your status and family commitments, among other things. Generally, your day may typically revolve around just you or your pets if you do not have kids. But for parents who have kids who also have to stay home due to Covid-19 safety guidelines, your job becomes more complicated as you have to cater to their needs while also getting some work done. The best way to tackle this issue is to plan your family and commitments into your daily schedules.
Doing this will help you strike a better balance between work and your home.
- Stay In Contact With Other Members Of Your Team
Communication can bridge different barriers and ensure effective collaboration at work. Even though you are working from home, there are plenty of ways to stay connected to your work team members. Whichever tool you use to communicate, make sure to update your colleagues at work about your progress and check up on them. Everyone could use some support as we strive to survive these trying times.
No matter how you look at it, we have a bunch of technology around us that can ease our burdens and help us bridge that social barrier that comes with remote jobs.
Apart from these few tips, your mental health is also an important aspect that must be carefully maintained. Do not take your mental health lightly. Find someone to talk to if you feel overwhelmed. Remember, we are all in this together.
In conclusion, form healthy habits, establish simple routines, and engage in positive activities to occupy your free time.
