First of all, well done you!
You’re doing your part, staying home and keeping everyone safe and still being productive and getting stuff done despite the world around you (rightfully) shutting down. Before you read on, we just wanted to remind you you’re awesome for doing that.
At the same time, we know this probably isn’t very easy. Undoubtedly, there are some perks – no morning traffic, making a cup of coffee with a brand you actually like and blasting out a playlist that is entirely up to your taste/mood at any given time. On the other hand, you also have to keep trying to prevent your youngest tattooing the dog with a fluorescent marker out of boredom, which takes about as much time as the commute anyway. Not to mention the stress…
So, what we have for you here are a few tips for working from home that will increase your motivation and productivity and save some precious time
1. Separate your space
This is arguably the most important tip on the list but fear not if you don’t have a spare room for a make-shift office. Physical separation is great, but the key is to make sure your environment is peaceful enough for you to focus on work. If you have kids at home, ask your significant other to watch them or take turns in entertaining them, but only so you get at least two hours of uninterrupted work. If you need to, use headphones to block out any random noise. Working with your favourite tune or soothing sound in the background is proven to increase productivity, so it’s surely worth a try.
2. Write up a daily schedule
We’re talking all tasks (regardless of how small), prioritised and arranged by time and deadlines. This can be quite a challenge for the ones who are not used to to-do lists. However, sparing up to 30 minutes every morning to create and evaluate this list can save up some much valuable time towards the end of the day. Still, don’t stress yourself too much if the list is not fully done by the end! It’s supposed to be a helpful tool in your day-to-day life but make sure you give yourself enough time to complete all tasks and leave some time for breaks.
Image source: Pixabay
3. Organise your working space
If you’ve been working from an office desk so far didn’t have much time to get all set up at home, it’s likely your current workspace leaves a lot to be desired. However, this is one thing that shouldn’t ever be overlooked. Messy work surface usually equates to an abundance of time spent locating things you need to complete your task. Then, instead of getting it done you spend all this time rummaging through career’s worth of papers and end up stressing out as nothing is done in time…Life. Is. Too. Damn. Short. For. That! Take time to organise your paperwork, label what needs labeling and de-clutter. This goes for virtual space too. It may take away a couple of hours to get it all in check but boy, does it make life easier!
4. Dress up for work as normal
Dressing up in the morning may seem like an absolute waste of time, however, don’t knock it ‘till you try it. By dressing up you trick your brain into entering “work mode” which in return then boosts your creativity, concentration and confidence. Working in your pyjamas may feel like bliss but if you’re struggling to focus on the job in hand it may not be the best strategy. Actually, taking the dress up game a bit further would not go amiss. Visualise outfits that make you feel powerful, play with colour combinations and put together things that you normally never would. Then wear them to work every morning. Use this time to explore everything your work wardrobe has to offer and give yourself time to see how that particular outfit will make you feel without the pressure of wearing it in public. Chances are you’ll find a few hidden gems you’ll be proud to sashay in once everything goes back to normal.
Image source: thekemist.com / Featuring TKs Cassandra Cold Shoulder Button Up Shirt and TKs Drina Denim Maxi Skirt
The main thing to keep in mind is that we’ll get through this – smarter, tougher and wiser than we were before. These are challenging times but we know you’re a strong kueen who can handle it like it’s nobody’s business.
In the meantime, we hope we were able to help with these few tips. If there’s a pro tip that works for you and we missed it, please share in comments!
With Love,
Krisztina
