Transitioning to Work from Home
Right now, a lot of people are transitioning their office jobs to work from home positions. It may be by choice, or it may not be. But either way, this new situation comes with its challenges. Initially, you might think of working from home as exciting! Sitting on the couch in your pajamas, working at your own pace. But sooner or later you will probably realize it is hard to concentrate and get work done because of a lack of motivation and never-ending distractions.
Transitioning to working from home can be a big adjustment. Whether you’re setting up a permanent or temporary office space, there is a lot to consider from equipment to comfort to adjusting your daily routine. Here are a few ways to ensure you have a successful transition!
Start as early as possible
One of the main challenges that can come from working from home is delaying the time you usually start. It is tempting to drag out your morning routine before getting started for the day. However, this only reduced your productivity. If you want to ensure you stay productive, you will want to start as early as possible. The positive side to this is that the earlier you start, the earlier you will be finished.
Maintain your usual “get ready” routine
It is important to try and maintain your usual routine. This means, getting ready for work in the same way you usually do. So, wake up at the same time, have your usual cup of coffee and get dressed for the day. It’s amazing how much of a difference this can make to your productivity. Trying to maintain your usual routine is one of the best things you can do during this transition.
Set social media limits
You will have a lot more time to check in on social media when you haven’t got the boss breathing down your neck. However, it is easy to waste hours using social media accounts if you aren’t careful. Many home workers find it useful to set limits on their social media use during working hours. It could be simply committing to using it during a specific time for example. Having limits in place makes you more aware of how much you’re using it.
Set up a work from home space
If you want to boost your productivity levels when working from home, it helps to set up an office area to separate work from your personal life. Try and set up in a room or area that isn’t frequently used during the day. With all the distractions at home, it can be hard to concentrate on work.
If possible, try and find an area with natural sunlight. This can have an impact on how productive and motivated you are. If this type of space is not available, you might want to consider buying a daylight bulb. These are designed to replicate natural daylight.
Focus on comfort
Your home office should have some level of comfort to increase productivity. Use a chair with plenty of support for your back and a mouse with wrist support. Diffuse essential oils that can help you focus such as lemon, orange or bergamot. You may also find it beneficial to surround yourself with things that make you happy, such as photos of the family and plants or flowers. If you aren’t comfortable, you’re not going to get much work completed!
Making sure you have the right equipment
You’re going to need some level of equipment to work from home. At the very least, you’re going to need a laptop or desktop computer and a desk. If you aren’t setting up a permanent home office, you can use things such as the dining room table or a makeshift bedroom office. You’ll also want to make sure you have a good internet connection and online security.
