As more and more companies are embracing the work from home option for business continuity, here are 7 pro-tips for working remotely, possibly for an extended period of time:
1. Get started early
One way to work from home productively is to dive into your to-do list as soon as you wake up. Simply getting a project started first thing in the morning can be the key to making progress on it gradually throughout the day.
2. Get your technology in order
Make sure to take your laptop home, and don’t forget your charger — anything that might make working on your laptop from home a little easier. Make sure you have the right applications and tools. Lots of remote workers are leaning heavily on Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or GoToMeeting.
3. Structure your day as you would in the office
To stay on schedule, segment what you’ll do and when over the course of the day. If you have an online calendar, create personal events and reminders that tell you when to shift gears and start on new tasks. Google Calendar makes this easy.
4. Creating an “Office Environment” is important
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can’t have a dedicated workspace or office. Try to set up your workspace in a well-lit room or one with as much natural light as possible. Have a good chair. Stand up.
5. Track your every hour
You must track how you’re spending every hour of your day. Self-tracking will help you to decide when you’re most productive (and when least). And where you’re wasting your precious time.
6. Manage expectations
Have a discussion with your boss about what can actually be accomplished from home. Ask your manager what the priorities are and discuss how tasks will get done.
7. Schedule a distraction break for you
You schedule your tasks, meetings, and calls in the calendar, right? There’s one more thing that you MUST plan: Distraction Breaks. Set the time when you’ll use the phone or social media. Set the time for lunch. Set the time for a nap. These breaks will recharge you.
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