5 Tips to enhance productivity while Working from Home

Are you searching for tips to enhance productivity while working from home? Well you are at the right place. Just ride along through this blog and know about 5 key tips for work from home.

As the whole world is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the populous around the global has been confined to their homes. Governments have issued guidelines and precautionary measures to circumvent further spread of the novel corona virus including social distancing and urged employers and corporations to implement work from home arrangements for their employees.

Some countries have outrun the Covid-19 peak while several countries such as Pakistan have not yet reached the peak point. Therefore, it seems and also appropriate that many organization in Pakistan would continue to allow their employees to work from home.

Since work from home is new to many of you, therefore you would encounter difficulty to cope with this new way of working. It is a challenging task to focus of work related matters while being at home with various distractions. Here are some of the tips for work from home effectively, to enhance productive in this unprecedented situation and create an office like environment at home:

1. Define Work Schedule

The first and foremost tip to boost efficiency while working from home is that you should do is to define a clear schedule of your daily routine. You should clearly outline a time table for when you are working and when you are not. The timing should preferably match with the normal office hours. This will enable you to be available to your colleagues in case of need or to discuss office matters. Moreover, this will make you ready to easily cope up with the office timings when the regular office resume.

Further, make it a habit to wake up early in the morning as you were supposed to go to office. This will help you to start the day comfortably and follow the schedule smoothly.

Make sure to include breaks in your time table. Even though you may be working from home, it is imperative that you must take sufficient breaks. Three breaks in a day i.e. one for lunch and two 15 – 20 minute breaks for tea, coffee or snacks etc. are recommended.

Just as it is important to start day early, it is essential that you should end your working day timely. Spend the rest of time on healthy activities and with the family.

2. Arrange required IT infrastructure

Thanks to advancement in the technology, we have been able to perform and complete work related assignments / tasks while we are away from office. Technology is the fundamental component that has materialized the concept of work from home or work remotely.

Therefore, make sure that you have all the requisite IT equipment and other ancillary services at your home. A standard work from home kit includes laptop, laptop charger, mouse, keyboard and head phones. Some might need printer as well.

In addition to hardware, you will also be required to arrange necessary software(s). The primary software or applications once should have installed in the laptop are Microsoft Office tools kit, Skype, Zoom etc. Further, do not forget to install office specific software.

Most importantly, you would be required to have a well-functioning internet connection and a Wi-Fi device. Without internet connection all the IT equipment are useless. A robust internet connection is also a mandatory requirement for online meetings and video conferences.

3. Establish a dedicated Workspace

Establishing a dedicated work station is one of the vital work from home tips. Since you would be spending a significant time working from home, it is highly recommended that you should make your workspace at home more convenient and work friendly.

For the purpose, you can establish your workspace by installing a table and a comfy chair. Acquire a Laptop stand to help you in maintaining better posture while using the laptop. You can also make few decorations to your workspace so that you can feel as you are at your office work station.

Remember to choose the workspace area wisely. An area with good natural lighting is recommended. If you don’t have an area with natural lighting, you can get a desk lamp so that you can have a proper lighting during online meetings or while reading.

Having a separate dedicated workspace enables you to reduce distractions.

4. Communicate with the team consistently

Do not get out of mind of your boss or colleagues due to out of sight. You should communicate with the higher ups as well as your subordinates frequently. Be proactive and fully engaged in the tasks and assignments.

Working from home reduces face-to-face contact, therefore; set up video calls with your team as they are more productive and formal.

Make yourself available to the team and boss(es) over phone. You should attend all the meetings through online / video conference. Make sure to be heard and speak up during the meeting so that everyone can notice you.

If you are unable to chip in an idea yourself, you can simply second the idea of your colleague so that your presence can be felt in the meeting.

5. Avoid Social Media during working hours

One of the most distracting factor is social media. Once you logged on to Facebook or twitter or Instagram you will spend a substantial amount of time just scrolling up and down. Avoiding social media during working hours is also one of the key tips for work from home.

Temporarily signing out of the social media apps may help you to avoid sneaking into them repeatedly. If you do not want to sign out of the social media apps, alternatively you can turn off the app notifications as they may lure you to check the social media app.

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