By Caleb Yen, February 2022, Express Employment Professionals Job Journey
The pandemic changed the way we work. Although many businesses are back in the workplace, it’s still just as important as ever to be productive when working remotely. Maybe you’re still remote even though some of your co-workers are back in the office, or perhaps your company adopted a three-days in, two days-out policy and you’ll be working remotely a portion of the time.
Keep Your Routine
Whether you’re just starting to work remote or you’re working from home part of the time and going into the workplace for the rest of the week, you need to maintain the same routine. That means getting up at the same time, taking a shower, eating breakfast, etc. Any disruption to that routine can affect your workflow.
For example, if you just roll out of bed and start working at 8, you won’t be as alert as you would be getting up at 7, taking a shower, and driving to work. Same goes for what time you take lunch; stability is key!
If you take breaks during the day when you’re in the workplace, keep those same breaks in your schedule at home. It might seem strange to get up and walk around your own house, but it’s worth it to keep your mind fresh.
Designate a Workspace
You have a workspace in the workplace, right? Whether it’s a cubicle, a workstation, or something else, there’s somewhere you go to get your work done each day. When it comes to working from home, you need the same stability. Sit in a comfortable chair at a desk or table with all the office supplies you might need.
It’s important to do this when working remotely to separate your work and personal life. Mentally, you want to be able to leave work, even though you’re still in the same house. Leaving your workspace can give you that relief.
Schedule Online Meetings
When working remotely, it’s easy to feel like you’re working in a vacuum. Scheduling calls with your co-workers to discuss projects and deadlines can alleviate that feeling. It’s also important to have these meetings to collaborate more effectively. Online messengers and email are great, but there are some topics (like brainstorming or discussing group deadlines) best left to online video calls.
Communicate Frequently
It’s easy to forget how many minor phone conversations and cubicle conversations we have in the office. When you’re working from home, you want to maintain that conversation through email and messengers. Keeping up communication can ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Working from home might seem daunting at first, but it’s just part of how we work now. Maintaining productivity and communication remotely is doable, it just takes a bit of practice. You’re going to do great.
