Tips for Working From Home Efficiently

With all the precautions and restrictions that many of the governments have announced recently, Many companies created or enhanced their Working From Home Policy,

I decided to share my experience on efficient tips that can make you work remotely and stay efficient ,

First, What are the benefits from Working From Home ?

1. Less interaction with people = less opportunity to get infected. As simple as that
2. Less Office distraction , no longer : " Do you have minute ? "
3. No time wasted in commuting to and from office
4. More focus on specific projects that you never get the required focus to complete
5. WFH is not only good for yourself, it is also reduces the CO2 emissions and help the environment

Now, What are the tips for an efficient WFH strategy ?

• Before you start it , test it ! (check your internet connection / VPN Connection/ All the required accesses and tools)
• Assign a work space inside your home, if not a separate room a desk with a chair is enough but keep it only for work and make it your temporary office
• Commute mentally to work, leave your bed, make your coffee or take your breakfast and move to your office work space just like a usual commute to work
• Before you start working plan for your working day - I assume you do in your normal office days -
• Communicate, Actually over communicate with your team ( Skype/ Whats app/ chat ) , avoid the isolation feeling
• Aim for sunlight, it has been scientifically proven that natural sunlight boost your energy
• Set ground rules for family members/ pets/ friends..etc, you are at work even if you are physically at home but you are currently working so avoid all interruptions
• Take your regular breaks and prepare your lunch a day before, the worst thing you can do is to be hungry and decide to start cooking something in the middle of your regular working day
• If you have a virtual meeting with more than 2 persons ,use Video not only voice, this will help everyone to stay focused in the meeting and not scroll his Facebook while on the call
• Once workday is over, close your laptop and leave your work space back to your normal personal life

Lastly, there are some precautions to stay efficient & that can turn the WFH against you

1. Always separate between work and leisure (Mentally and physically)
2. Your main enemy is the News/Social Media, don't let them eat your working day
3. Don't forget your breaks , please
4. Clock out when it is time
5. Music doesn't work for everyone, if it usually works for you Ok , if not then Working From Home won't change this fact
6. There might be an impression that you aren't working if you aren't physically present at office so try to be responsive to eliminate those impressions
7. The most important thing is to keep safe and secure , so follow all the IT instructions for Cyber Security

Working From Home can be a great advantage if well planned and you are prepared for it !

Feel free to directly contact me for any questions or advise