The pandemic has changed the way we work. There have been a lot of challenges with remote working because nobody was able to prepare for it. Both employers and employees are coping with tons of challenges on the work and personal front, and the uncertainty of the situation is only further stressing out and distracting the workforce.
While employees are facing issues like connectivity, lack of communication, trust, and recognition, employers are struggling with a lack of productivity, low prioritization, a pile-up of deliverables, and the stress of catering to customers without any hassle.
The last year of work from home has taught a lot both to the employers and employees, and the ongoing pandemic has caused companies to relook at the way they work. While many organizations have learned to navigate with proper systems and processes employees have also understood the importance of rest, rejuvenation, and balance.
Some of the top hacks to increase productivity while working from home:
1. Get Ready for Your Work Day
Getting dressed when the only person that will see you is you can be tricky. While working in Pajamas felt great in the initial days, we all have realized that it does make us feel sluggish.
Even though you are going to be working from your balcony, a morning routine followed by a shower and dressing up not only makes you feel fresh, it also helps to draw a line between work and personal life. If not dressed in your finest, putting on fresh clothes will make it feel like a new day and helps to increase productivity.
2. Encourage Dedicated Workstations
It is very tempting to sit just about anywhere in the house and begin the work call/meeting. Sitting up on your bedside and logging into work does feel a lot more comfortable. Space is a luxury for many, especially if more than one person is working from home.
Low traffic noise, minimal distractions, a work table that meets the ANSI/BIFMA standards, and an ergonomic chair (funds permitting) make for a dedicated workstation with no clutter and helps increase productivity.
3. Equip your Team with Efficient Tech and Productivity Tools
Technology is the key player in the success of work from home. A good tool/ system that enables employees to mail, chat, present, share data, and do much more effortlessly can improve productivity tremendously.
Arctic Swarm offers audio & video conferencing, team collaboration, secured file sharing, encrypted messaging, and group chats making it a great choice for remote working teams.
Interactive sharing and in-built collaboration tools help teams to work efficiently and effectively. If you’re managing one or more employees remotely, you can also make use of a recognition software to appreciate their efforts online. The productivity tools by Aritic Swarm are also great help for remote working teams.
4. Allocate strict working from home hours
Setting up a schedule is the first and foremost thing to do while working from home. While at work, most of us follow a fixed start and end times. However, it becomes slightly challenging when you are working from home.
The COVID -19 has made daily work like grocery shopping, homeschooling, elder care, and other daily chores very challenging. Working long hours and accommodating personal errands seems like the best option but, a lack of schedule leads to a poor work-life balance.
Considering your daily chores and routine while planning the start and end time helps to increase productivity and make time for personal wellness.
5. Plan Your Workflow
Meetings, team communication, time zones, work schedule, and much more are a part of the work from home schedule. Planning workflow based on your and the team’s schedules, preferences, and time zone is very important for a successful workflow.
Planning meetings and video conferences at a particular time of the day and taking on the to-do list first thing in the morning helps to increase productivity, plan, and manage workflow without any challenges.
6. Interact with the Team
Working from home can sometimes feel lonely. More so, if you are used to your regular breaks with team members.
However, a weekly call with the team, if not for work-related discussion, but to merely exchange thoughts might help to gain perspective, work as a great stress buster, and in turn increase productivity.
7. Visitors while you’re working
Working from home goes well only if you stick to the schedule. Having friends visiting you, during working hours not only is distracting it can also cause challenges to discuss work-related issues in front of them.
It would be best to schedule visits so that it does not hamper your work schedule.
8. Prepare a To-do list/ Work Planner
No matter how organized we are, a daily to-do list or a planner is most helpful in ensuring that we complete the list of tasks assigned, and do not miss anything important.
Preparing a to-do list helps to increase productivity and reduce any stress at work due to overlapping work.
9. Practice self-care
Increased stress levels, responsibilities at work and personal areas, lack of social life, and zero interaction with friends can cause tremendous pressure.
A set routine, walking in the sunshine, virtual meetups with friends and loved ones, engaging in a hobby, and spending time with family can work wonders on the overall well-being and increase productivity.
10. Be patient
The pandemic has brought a lot of uncertainty into our lives and has caused great stress and an overwhelming feeling towards both work and personal front. A little bit of patience towards teammates, children, and other loved ones at home can go a long way in keeping us sane and enable us to thrive in the face of uncertainty.
Attending work calls, managing video conferences with kids and family members in the background can be challenging, but a bit of patience can be helpful.
Conclusion
Setting a routine, taking time off for self-care, dressing up for work, and planning your work schedule help to avoid work pile-ups and enable you to relax.
Regular interaction with the team, allocating visitor hours to avoid distractions during work, setting up a dedicated workspace, being patient, and preparing a to-do list not only helps to increase productivity it also removes any unnecessary stress that employees may face during the work from home.
Employers, on the other hand, can use helpful and efficient technology and productivity tools that enable employees to communicate, collaborate, and work in sync with their counterparts.
Working from home has posed tons of challenges ranging from connectivity issues to improper work tools. The ever-changing pandemic scenario and the additional responsibilities have only made work from home even more precarious.
Setting rules, routines and using the right kind of productivity tools contribute to improving the overall productivity level.
