Working From Home Tips: How to Be Productive When Working Remotely

There are many reasons for working from home. But for most people, it's not that easy to get away from the hustle the working in an office and practice social distancing. Are you working remotely? Below are tips for working from home.

1. Set Up a Workspace

When you're setting up your home office, the first thing to do is create a permanent workspace. Of course, it's ideal if you have a study that you can furnish according to your needs. But even if you live in an apartment don't have your own office, you can still create a separate area and create the right office atmosphere. Room dividers, for example in the form of bookshelves, plants or simply a different wall color, provide the visual separation of the work area and the rest of the living space, without losing the coziness.

2. Get Enough Light

Without light there is no illumination. The more daylight you have at your workspace at home, the better. Because sunlight as a light source not only saves electricity costs, but has also been proven to increase productivity. Insufficient lighting, on the other hand, can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating and depressed moods. When it's gray and gloomy outside in the winter, a daylight lamp on the desk will remedy the situation and provide sufficient light.

3. Ensure Online Security

When working from home, you will probably spend a lot of time online. Therefore, it’s very important to ensure online security. You should install an antivirus software on your computer and keep it updated. Always use strong passwords for online account. You might want to use a password manager to manage all your password. VPN is another good. Not only can VPNs help people bypass online censorship (for example, people in China use VPNs to visit blocked contents, calling them VPN翻墙软件), they can also help you increase online security. A good VPN review website can help you find some reliable VPN services. Also, you should add two-factor authentication for important online accounts, meaning you need to provide another layer of authentication, not just a username and password. In addition, you should be aware of online phishing and don't click on suspicious links in your emails.

4. Set Working Hours

Differentiating between work time and free time can be more difficult in a home office. You don't have to commute to and from the office, but you don't have the spatial buffer that comes from literally putting distance between you and your work. Set a fixed time for the start of your workday, as well as an end point, so that you clearly define the working time for yourself. You should also communicate your work hours to anyone else who will be staying at home with you. A "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door or prominently displayed next to your desk can go a long way.

5. Avoid Distractions

It's tempting to turn on your favorite TV show or take a nap on the couch when the midday slump hits. To avoid temptation, keep distractions within your immediate reach to a minimum. It already helps to keep the remote control, cell phone, tablet, or the book you devoured the night before out of reach. Because if concentration killers like smartphones and the like are just a hand's reach away, you'll pick them up more quickly and be more easily distracted again.

6. The Right Clothing

It may be tempting to spend the whole day in the home office in baggy clothes or not even take off your pajamas. However, it is not advisable. Your clothes have an unconscious effect on your attitude - and the "slouchy look" is not necessarily conducive to a productive mindset. Of course, you don't have to sit at your desk at home in a business suit. It's best to choose comfortable clothes that you would also wear in the office - then even spontaneous video calls from your boss, colleagues or a customer won't be a scary moment. For important phone calls, it's also a good idea to wear shoes. This will literally give you more stability and a more professional appearance.

7. Take Lunch Breaks

Even in the home office, you should take enough time for your lunch break to gather new energy for the afternoon. That means putting work aside, closing your computer, and being truly unavailable for the duration of your break. Avoid eating at work and make sure you have a change of scenery. Whether that's your favorite restaurant around the corner, your kitchen, or the dining table in your living room is up to you. Your fridge is empty and there's no way around a trip to the supermarket? Then buy only what you need for your lunch break and postpone the bulk purchase until after work.

8. Avoid Too Much Decoration

There's nothing wrong with adding a personal touch to your workspace when you're setting up your home office. However, too much decoration and clutter in your field of vision can be distracting and make it difficult to concentrate. If you can hardly recognize your screen because of all the clutter, you should, true to the motto "less is more", do some serious cleaning out. A photo of your loved ones, a picture on the wall with an inspirational quote, office supplies that you always need to have on hand, a potted plant for that little green accent - there shouldn't be much more on your desk.

9. Take Care of Physical Well-Being

Prepare some healthy office snacks in advance, such as nuts, fruit or vegetable sticks, in case you want to snack while you work. That way, you don't have to run to the fridge every time your appetite hits. A bottle of water should always be on your desk so you don't forget to drink enough throughout the day. Also, try not to use your coffee consumption as a constant opportunity to get up from your desk. After all, in the office you wouldn't be making your way to the kitchen every few minutes.

10. Prevent Loneliness

If you're constantly communicating only virtually with colleagues, clients or business partners, you can easily lose touch and feel quite lonely in your home office. The nice office chat in front of the coffee machine is a thing of the past, and asking your colleague "Where can I find that new presentation template again?" isn't so easy if she's not sitting right next to you. Video calls do not replace face-to-face exchanges, but they are a good supplement to contact via e-mail or chat programs.

Conclusion

Working from home can be challenging for many people. However, if you use the tips above, you can improve the comfort and efficiency of your working from home experience and make it fun!