Working from home has become not just a trend but oftentimes a necessity these days. Many employees have begun to upgrade their home workspace by designating a part of their house exclusively for work activity. It may sound easy and accessible but there is another set of challenges when faced with working from home. Check out some tips below for how to make the most of your home work life.
Track Your Time
The comfort while working at home is that one can either work too much or too less. Therefore time management is a must. The best way to manage time is to create a schedule which includes an estimated duration for each task. Some research suggests that only around 17 percent of people are able to accurately estimate the passage of time, making your plan going into each day that much more important.
Stop Multitasking
Focus on one task at a time. Psychologists have found attempting to do several tasks at once can result in lost time and productivity. Instead, make a habit of committing to a single task before moving on to your next project. Working too much is counterproductive and can result in lower quality output.
Be Proactive
Set aside time to do what is scheduled. It’s so much easier to perform tasks in advance rather than wait for direction. If you work for someone, ask questions ahead of time to help stay ahead of tasks. Being proactive at work means always thinking about the future, planning and preparing for what lies ahead. Create solutions in advance, rather than wait for problems to arise. Plan out those tasks in advance by writing them down on a nice clean surface.
Take Short Breaks
Working continuously can easily lead to ‘burnout’ and result in detrimental effects on health, starting with stress. Give yourself 10-30 minutes after a couple of hours of work to recharge. Just a quick walk around the block can do wonders for both your mental and physical health. If you’d rather stay indoors, try doing something creative. No matter what you choose, think of this period as your free personal time in which you can do anything you want - including bathroom breaks, eating, or even playing a short game.
Minimize Distractions
While it doesn't hurt to have a few nice things on your desk to help make your workplace your happy place, too much stuff can clutter your mind, leading to distraction from the task at hand: productive work. Try silencing your phone so you won’t be tempted to procrastinate on social media or texting with friends. Unless it’s an absolute must, keep any unnecessary device away from your desk. Keeping your home office door closed is also a good idea.
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