5 Tips to be more effective when working from home
Wow, it's been over a year for most of the world, now working from home.
I don't think we will ever return to a world of working in the office 9-5, Monday to Friday. I've spoken to many who've said that whilst they miss the office, they still want to strike a balance and work from home sometimes.
Whilst many are now into a routine and are working from home effectively, many still struggle with the balance of life and work, being all in one place.
Here's some tips you may find useful:
- Create a morning routine that works for you.
'Works for you' being the most important element. I'm a huge believer in getting up at 5 and having an hour peace before the kids get up and I'm pleased to say I have a routine that involves meditation, reading etc - however, this isn't ideal for everyone. If a win for you is getting up at 7 (not hitting snooze) and then grabbing a coffee and reading the paper. Great. Just make sure that whatever you choose to include in your morning routine, it's a routine that puts YOU at the core. Put you first before the emails get read or the calls get answered. That can all wait, until you've had the YOU time that you deserve. This will set a presidence for the remainder of the day.
2. Set boundaries. (Be intentional)
Very few people would arrive to work at 6am one day and 11am the next, so identify a time that works for you to get started on the work stuff and stick to it. Just like you would in an office. Unfortunately, whilst many have adapted to some kind of new normal - it has allowed the lines to become blurred. Your boss thinks about work at 5am and emails you and suddenly, you feel the urge to respond and presto, you started your day without meaning to yet. (Can you resonate?!) When it's time to work, work. When it's downtime, step away, close the door and LEAVE IIT. It CAN wait.
3. Get some fresh air.
Fresh air is a great source for the body and mind. Whether that means opening the windows to let the air in or getting out for a walk. If you have to sit with an extra layer on, so be it. Let the air in and it will awaken you from your afternoon slumber keeping you fresh and alert.
4. Take regular breaks.
I read somewhere (sorry - I can't remember where!) that a study showed that on average, each person can work effectively for 52 minutes but then benefit from a 17 minute break. So go ahead, set a timer and if the timer goes off, get up and move around. I urge you to do this, even if you're in the middle of a task - chances are when you come back, you'll have an idea that's even better than the one you were considering when you started to flag! :) )
5. Possibly one of the most important ones - Remove distractions.
My clients and team know when I'm head down in a project because I stop all notifications and pre warn them I'm going to do it. There are so many notifications that hinder our productivity, text, email, whatsapp, a like on social, a pop up, a website that takes us down a huge rabbit hole where we don't return for the next hour! Try putting your phone on flight mode, or in another room. Tell those you live with that you are 'shutting the door' for X amount of time. Set times of the day to check email. If someone needs you urgently, they WILL get hold of you.
Hope you found this useful.
We've been working remotely for years now so we are used to it, but it's not easy and takes a certain amount of discipline.
Have a go and see how you get on. I'd love to hear if you have certain things that help you to be effective in your 'home office'.
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