Working from home? Here are 11 tips to help

To build a culture across a company where there are no offices, you need to be intentional. While technology and tools enable you to operate efficiently in a remote setting, individuals need help. Individuals shift to work from home forces them into a behavioral change.

Here is a checklist that you may find helpful to build a longer term sustainable behavioral change.

Have a daily work routine

To make it easier, do what your usual routine as you used to do in the office. it helps to follow a schedule, plan your breaks, and create a routine. This helps you stay more focused while you are working from how. It keeps your energy at a good level and reduces distractions from others who might be at home.

Stick to your working hours when working from home

Maintain your working schedule as much as you can when working from home. If you need to change this plan for personal reasons, discuss it with your manager first. Communicate the same to your team members and tell them when they can reach you throughout the day.

Be accessible

It is important to be accessible to your team and colleagues and if possible make sure they see you are online and available. Check your messages, emails, and reduce the time to respond or acknowledge receipt. Update your calendar and keep you camera on during meetings – it really helps.

Do what is necessary to improve connection speed

Think of this as taking same measures to make sure you arrive to work on time. A secure and fast internet connection is essential at all times.

Make a space into your workspace

It helps to separate your workspace from your personal space. A dedicated desk or even a corner can help you concentrate more and add some routine to your day. Moving around the house everyday deciding where to sit can cause unnecessary stress. A pair of noise-canceling headphones or earphones can come in handy as well.

Communicate your plan

If you live with others, communicate your plan and expectations – work time, arrangements, workspace, etc.  This helps avoid misunderstanding and potential conflict.

Limit distractions

Separate work from personal duties – you may be able to juggle; this proved to be less efficient. Our advice to you is segregate – do not integrate. Though some find it helpful to split their day in 2 halves or 3 parts. Where they work for the first half, run their errands, work some more, exercise and then do some more work later. In brief, find what works for you – but limit distractions.

Dress for work

Check your company guidelines on dress code. Dressing up though is a signal that it’s time to focus on work. You will feel the difference as it puts you in the right mindset.

Share your ideas with others

Share your ideas and updates with your manager, peer, and teams. Collaboration tools such as video conferencing, Slack and others make this easily possible. Use it.

Enjoy the experience

Keep in mind the benefits of such an experience, challenges, as well as learnings. We may not revert back to a full time office job any time soon – but a hybrid is on the cards now for most companies across the world.

Isolation is real – deal with it

Maintain social connection when working from home. Stay in touch with your work colleagues – even set time for catchup calls, similar to your pop-in the office to chat. You will find this useful to help you focus and stay engaged.

Think about enhancing the efficiency of your virtual meetings by gamifying it. The more efficient your meetings are – the more time you have to let the mind wander and get creative.