The idea of working from home sounds great on paper, and while it works for some, not everyone is having a good time at their job because of the pandemic. Our home is a place we associate with leisure, meaning that it is much harder to find motivation. Moreover, there are no supervisors standing behind you and making sure you are carrying out your tasks properly.
Having said that, it is still too early to tell when things will go back to normal, and people can return to their offices. It might be months or even years for some, and whether they like it or not, working from home is the only available option.
If you find it difficult to concentrate and have no idea what you can do to improve your remote work experience, the ideas below should come in handy.
Have an Optimal Setup
The first thing you want to do is to set up your work environment so that it is easy to focus on what is important. Even if you do not have a dedicated room that you can turn into a home office, there should still be a desk you can use only for work needs.
Next, make sure that you have optimally performing tools. Your computer should not run into performance issues. If you are uncertain how it holds up against other computers and whether you should look to improve it, use a benchmark test.
A solid internet connection is also a must these days because you do not want to get stuck refreshing emails and websites because they are loading too slow.
When you have a proper work setup, it is easier to get in the right mood. As soon as you sit down, you know that it is time to do actual work and not procrastinate yourself with distractions.
Communicate With Your Colleagues
Working remotely means fewer opportunities to socialize with other people. If you are close with some of your coworkers but cannot meet in real life, do not neglect communication because it will lead to isolation and awkwardness once things go back to normal. You will have one more thing to worry about, and it will further get in the way of finding motivation.
The odds of making errors also increase when there is not enough communication. Some employers are already struggling to establish a proper remote work system because they cannot face their employees face to face, so the least you can do is to make sure that things are okay on the communication side.
Stick to a Strict Schedule
When you do not have to wake up early to commute, it is easy to fall into the bad habit of spending more time in bed. You are less inclined to wake up at an appropriate hour and prepare yourself. Working in pajamas is also one of the options so long as you do not have to show yourself on a video because others will not know.
However, bad habits can snowball and cause you serious problems down the line. That is why it is important to establish a proper schedule early on.
For starters, make sure that you get out of bed at an appropriate hour and use the time to prepare for work. Then, when it is lunch, take a break and make yourself a proper meal.
Aim to finish work on time, so you are not stuck working late. If you fail to do that, you will start to go to bed later and later, and a poor sleeping schedule will leave you irritated and tired, which spells trouble for the work.
Make the Most Out of Extra Free Time
Since you are staying at home and have extra free time, why not put it to good use? It is a great opportunity to take a new hobby and keep yourself occupied. Pushing negative thoughts aside helps a lot, and that includes how you feel at work.
Another consideration could be learning new things. There are plenty of great online courses you can find on Skillshare, Udemy, YouTube, and other platforms. The education does not have to be related to your actual work. So long as you have an interest in a particular subject and find it worthwhile to study, go for it.
Eliminate Potential Distractions
Eliminating distractions is one of the most important aspects of creating a proper work environment. From smartphone notifications and video game shortcuts on a computer’s desktop to trash around you and other people getting in the way, failing to deal with these and other distractions will mean more things getting in the way of your work.
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