Working from home is, in many ways, similar to working at the office. You still have deadlines to beat and distractions to manage. The only difference is that you don’t have your manager or supervisor constantly looking over your shoulders to see how you’re doing.
While working at home is a great thing, especially at this time, it can also get pretty challenging considering that you’re working in very comfortable situations. The temptation to stay longer in bed or work on other stuff at home, such as chores, is very real. But just because there are more distractions at home doesn’t mean that you can’t work smart and fast. You just need a battle plan.
Get More Work Done at Home In Less Time with These Helpful Tips
Family lawyers, dental accountants, recruitment officers, whatever your line of work is, it is possible to get more work done at home and spend a lot less time getting it done.
Set boundaries for yourself and for the people around you
The very first thing you have to do is set boundaries for yourself. Having certain parameters to work with helps you stay focused and goal-oriented. Plan about your day (or week) and be sure to stick to the plan as much as possible.
Talk to your family and friends and ask them to avoid getting in touch with you during your work schedule unless it’s an emergency. This way, they learn to respect your schedule and it frees you up from any unnecessary social calls. You can always do that after.
Set a schedule
Working from home requires good time management. Learn how to manage your work schedule alongside your different domestic obligations. Prioritize tasks according to urgency and allot a specific time frame for each one.
If you want to finish your tasks at the earliest possible time, then you must strategically plan your day. Get started early and aim for a noontime end-of-shift. That will help motivate you to get as much work done as you can.
Just make sure you don’t rush whatever it is you’re doing or else you might end up redoing it which will double the amount of time you’re working on it.
Take a break and move around at least once an hour
One very helpful thing to getting things done fast is to, at least once an hour, get away from your workstation and get moving. It breaks the monotony caused by your mental engagement with work, stretches your muscles, and lets the blood flow throughout your body again.
You can take your break or squeeze in a few exercises. Perhaps you can read a chapter of a book you’re going through or grab a cup of coffee from the kitchen.
Keep the distractions to a minimum
Since you’re surrounded by your couch, bed, TV, and perhaps your kids, distractions are going to be a daily struggle as you get used to working from home. You need to make the necessary adjustments to minimize, if not eliminate, the number of things that could take your attention or your focus away from your work.
Unless you need your mobile device for work, put it away. Unplug from social media and turn off your TV. Make certain arrangements with your family members or housemates about your working schedule. You need to make sure that your time at work is undisturbed so you can get as much done without compromising its quality.
Organize your workstation
A clean and orderly work area minimizes the time for searching for things. The less clutter you have, the more accessible things are to you. An organized workstation helps clear your mind, too. If possible, keep it clear of any distractions as well. And take a few minutes at the end of your shift to tidy up your desk and prepare for the following workday.
What other things do you do that make you work smarter and faster without compromising the quality of your output? Share them with us in the comments section below.
