How to be Stay focused and Productive while working from home.

Working from home is usually not a very popular choice in the industry and also not implemented at a large-scale as it is considered challenging for many organisations. However, while we are at it, to prevent crowding and curb the spread of the COVID-19, many offices in India and outside have asked employees to work remotely. As a result, they are now working from home.

But, this change of environment is sometimes believed to negatively impact the productivity of a person, who may feel more driven when operating from their place of work instead of their house, where they can be easily distracted. Some major challenges of working from home are time management, communication and productivity.But if you're flexible, firm and committed to working with your team, you can be successful.

There are a few work etiquette that can be implemented and followed for efficient working. Would like to share some of the thoughts on how to stay productive during the lockdown.

Self-discipline

Working from home demands a lot of self-discipline. It is important we start our day following office routines. Use of technology with discipline can make one very effective while working from home. Lot of strategic work, preparing plans and also activities which involve internal discussions during team members can be done effectively from home through virtual meetings. All you need is a good device, high-speed internet, and self-isolation from distractions.

Be patient

Remember that this is a big transition for both yourself and your team as everyone learns how to effectively work from home. Try to take things one day at a time, and allow yourself a learning curve to figure out what works and what doesn't. Your work hours may shift, and there will be more or different distractions around that you will have to adjust to.

Create and stick to a schedule

When working from home, you’ll have a more fluid structure to your day than if you were stationed in a traditional office setting. Not only are you able to set your own schedule, you’ll have to figure out a routine.One of the best ways to get back into a productive mindset is to create a new routine for yourself and stick to it.

"Stick to routines whenever possible," said Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn. "If you get up at a set time because of a commute, keep that time. Shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, etc. All these rituals can help put your brain in work mode."

Take breaks

Try to schedule breaks throughout your day – setting alarms on your phone to remind you if necessary – to walk around, hop on a video chat, eat a snack or take a lunch break. Breaks help you stay focused and energized.

"Taking a break gives you an opportunity to refresh your brain" . "Go for a walk, work out, spend time with family, clear your mind. Do something else and then get back to work. Being successful is not about putting in more time; it's about putting in productive time."

Be flexible and realistic

Set your boundaries around your team members and work obligations as well as your responsibilities outside of work.This will help you prioritize those tasks and carve out time for them without feeling guilty that you are not actively working.You can also expect to have fewer hours where you are actively working, since you are out of an office environment and can flexible your schedule to work best for you.

Work Life Balance

Staying indoors is the best thing that has happened, for spending quality time with family. Let the same be balanced with your office time. Always remember, your family is waiting for you to be with them. If the expectations are set right and duly informed to your loved ones, there won’t be any disappointments. They should be aware about your plan and work timeline and at the same time you should know their plans too. 

Healthy Mind and Body

Last but not least, staying safe and healthy are the most important things at the moment. Following government guidelines on “Stay at Home” ensures that we don’t get infected. Helping yourself and your family members keep a positive attitude will be important for everybody to get through this difficult period. Sleeping well, staying relaxed, do some yoga and meditations and do little physical exercises.

Stay Positive..Stay Safe and Work from Home Productively!!!