The working world has taken some unexpected turns in the last few years. Working from home has become the new normal, as well as remote meetings, and it seems for many organisations this trend will continue long into the future.
There are many opportunities that arise from working from home: no commuting; more time to complete home chores; travel and lunch financial savings; better work life balance. There are however, some down sides too, including increased feelings of isolation, work overload, and job dissatisfaction.
In order to combat these downsides of remote working, here’s our top tips for working from home and how you can make the most of it.
1) Set Work Hours
It’s important to set your work hours and to stick to them. This means having a clear start and finish time to your day. This will help you maintain your work schedules and also allow you to enjoy your ‘down time’ at home. A good routine is crucial in making sure you’re productive at home.
It’s easy to feel like you should be available all the time when working from home. However, this isn’t the most productive way of working, and more importantly isn’t good for your mental well-being.
One specific way to help with maintaining your schedule is by having a set lunch time. By treating your home office as an actual office and having your lunch at the same time as you would have at the office, it will help you feel like you’re in an office as well as help you plan and organise your day.
2) Get Dressed
Getting dressed in the morning sets the mood for the rest of the day and marks a clear starting point. This doesn’t mean always being in smart formal wear at home, but more wearing clothes that are comfortable while also look presentable in your video calls and meetings.
By getting dressed in your work attire, you are psychologically getting ready for work, as the change of clothes represents a change of mindset. This will help you establish a good work life balance, separating the you at work from the you at home, even if you remain in the same place.
3) Have A Dedicated Workspace
While working from home, your house may begin to feel more like an office than a place of comfort and relaxation. That’s why it’s important to separate your work from your personal life. The easiest way to achieve this is to use a desk and to have all your work materials on that desk - if you don’t have a desk the next best is the kitchen table (depending on your living situation).
If you’re working from your bedroom, avoid working while on your bed or any other personal space - the desk is your office. This will help when trying to ‘turn off’ in the evenings and ensure your work doesn’t intrude into your home life.
4) Eat Healthy Meals
Your mental health and well-being is influenced by what you eat, and when working from home it's important to continue to do everything you would if you were heading into an office.
While it is tempting to just get out of bed and start working, it is crucial for your own health and productivity that you start your day right with a healthy breakfast.
While working from home, it can also be tempting to have numerous tea and snack breaks. Although we recommend taking regular breaks, try not to overload on caffeine or sugary foods. It might be beneficial for you to set your breaks and prepare your food in advance if possible.
5) Take Regular Breaks
You should make sure to take advantage of the opportunities that working from home presents: short regular breaks are not only great for your focus but will also give you time to do tasks around the house.
By taking breaks throughout the day, you can get through your weekly chores while ‘at work’ - giving you more time to relax on the weekend! Additionally, you are giving yourself time to step away from tasks and return to them with a new perspective.
6) Leave The House
It is important to remember that just because you are working from home, doesn’t mean you have to stay at home the entire day. If you’re starting to get cabin fever, you should try to leave the house at least once a day.
You can also go outside on your breaks; take a walk and get some fresh air even if it is just for a few minutes. A daily walk can help you keep a routine, as well as being a form of exercise.
When you’re working all day it is normal to want to stay in and relax in the evenings and weekends, however when you work from home it is important to remember to get outside and away from your workspace.
7) Socialise
It is completely normal to feel a little disconnected from people when working from home. There are many ways to stay connected, like setting some time aside to call friends and family, or meeting up with them over your lunch break.
One of the benefits of working from home is the work life balance, so it is important to remember to take advantage of this and socialise, especially when working at home can leave you isolated.
While social media is an excellent way to stay connected when remote working, it can also serve as a massive distraction. One way to combat this is to only use social media during your breaks, or even set time limits on apps so you can stay focused and off your phone during work hours.
8) Exercise
Remote workers often find that working from home frees up their time for other hobbies and interests, as you’re both more productive at home and can save time on commutes. Exercising regularly is something working remotely can really facilitate.
You can exercise during one of your regular breaks, or turn it into a social activity that gets you out of the house. Whether you’re going for a walk, jog, cycle, or doing a home workout, exercise is a perfect way to split up the day and clear your mind.
9) Keep In Touch With Colleagues
It is important when you are separated from a traditional office environment that you stay in contact with your team and colleagues.
Your boss or manager should be made aware of your home working schedule, your work, and deliverables. Weekly remote, informal meetings with your team are also a good way to establish a line of communication.
Working from home at length often brings in a feeling of exclusion – you feel that you are left out of important events, meetings, and other official matters. Hence, it is vital that you keep in touch with the office and your team regularly.
10) Invest in Technology
Last but not least, invest in technology.
Your organisation should be providing you with what you need to work productively at home, and it is crucial to have the relevant software and systems to make sure your remote working experience is as seamless as possible.
This is where Convene can help. Our Award Winning software is designed to ensure your online meetings run smoothly and efficiently. We are dedicated to helping create a successful virtual working environment for you, and your organisation.
Convene now also comes fully integrated with Microsoft Teams, so you don’t have to spend time at home on multiple complicated applications. You can find everything you need to run a streamlined remote meeting all in one place.
To find out more about how Convene can transform your meeting process and remote working environment, book a free demo today.
