Working from home is a position in which many of us have unexpectedly found ourselves this year. Some of us have relocated to dining room tables; others are holed-up in spare bedrooms, laptops balanced on piles of books; some are juggling meetings and childcare all at once. Quiet, calm offices with tidy desks are a distant memory and, for now, it looks like they may stay that way for some time!
Here at Your Finance Team, we know how difficult working from home can be and have therefore set out a few simple steps to help you maximise your working from home effectiveness as we navigate this final part (hopefully!) of the pandemic.
- Routine is Key
Setting and maintaining a routine that works for you is key to maximising your effectiveness when working from home. Things like waking up at the same time each day, dressing in work-appropriate attire, leaving time for coffee and breakfast before sitting down to work will ensure that you are in the right mindset to be productive and will set you up for a successful day.
- Workspace
To begin with, working in your home can feel quite alien. You’re bringing all the stresses of our working life into your safe space, which is why it’s a good idea to designate just a small area of your home to work. Try picking a space that is away from rooms you would usually relax in (living rooms, bedrooms) and one that is free from as many distractions as possible. Doing this allows you to maintain some semblance of work-life balance and will enable you to work effectively throughout the day.
- Don’t Stop Communicating!
While working from home is designed to disrupt face-to-face communication at the moment, that doesn’t mean all communication has to cease. In fact, working from home may require you to overcommunicate – inform your team of your schedule and progress regularly, share ideas throughout the day and turn-up to and engage in virtual meetings as often as possible. Regular communication with your team reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness, allows tasks to continue productively, and removes the worry of duplication of efforts or miscommunications.
- Set Boundaries
Working from home can cause you to feel like you need to prove yourself to your team at all times, sometimes resulting in long hours being worked without breaks or working too much overtime. This is not necessary! Everyone is in the same boat and will be able to sympathise with the shared struggles of working from home. To avoid this added pressure, set yourself clear boundaries. Begin and end your day at appropriate times, take regular breaks away from your computer screen and remember to ask for help if you need it.
Working from home can be challenging but, by implementing these simple steps, you’ll ensure that you can continue to be productive from home while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance that works for you.