Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Hardware/ Software
It’s hard to do your best when you’re working with subpar equipment. If you’ve not got a good internet connection, or you’re missing vital software, then this is going to hamper your ability to work as effectively as you would from the office.
1 Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Hardware/ Software2 Be Comfortable 3 Be Contactable 4 Remove Distractions 5 Find the Right Balance
It’s perfectly possible to work efficiently from home, but you’ve got to make sure you have the right infrastructure in place. If this isn’t in place, then you’re playing catch up from the very beginning.
Be Comfortable
It’s amazing how much stress sitting in front of a computer screen all day can put on your body. When you’re in the office, you might have an ergonomic chair, standing desk, and lots of tools to help keep you comfortable, but this isn’t necessarily the case at home. However, if you don’t have the right setup, then you will start to notice it and it can lead to complications. It might be a big investment to buy a high-spec desk and chair, but it can make a big difference to your health.
Be Contactable
When you’re working from home you’re away from your colleagues, but you’re still expected to communicate at the same level as when you’re in the office. This isn’t easy and it can take time to adjust your communication style. It’s important to focus on communication and put systems in place to help you with it. Whether it’s wearing one of the smartwatches available at Superwatches or simply finding the right communication method, make sure you’re contactable and are able to collaborate.
Remove Distractions
There will always be distractions to take your focus away from work, but when you’re at home, they might be slightly different from the ones you’re used to. If you’re going to work as efficiently as possible, then it’s important that you try and remove as many as possible. A great technique to use is the Pomodoro technique, which allows you to work in distraction-free 20-minute bursts to get the most out of your attention. Everyone works differently, but you will work better when you get rid of some of the distractions.
Find the Right Balance
One of the difficulties with working from home is that your work is always there. You’ve got the temptation to work a bit longer, or just check in to your email on your days off. However, it’s important you find the right balance between your life and your work. There has to be some separation and you can’t allow working from home to blur that line. Set boundaries and stick to them.
