It was recently revealed in a Censuswide report that Co. Wicklow office workers are among the least equipped to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though we may be relatively under-equipped by Censuswide standards, that doesn’t mean we still can’t excel at doing our jobs – even if it is on an old laptop using a poor internet connection. Yikes.
Working at home is seen as a ‘slippery slope’, with many people believing that it is disasterous to work in the same place you live. Your bed doesn’t want you to leave, the dog wants to be let out, the sitting room needs a good clear out, the children want spaghetti, and your report needs to be finished by the afternoon.
Are you starting to get a clearer picture?
However, there are many ways that you can create the conditions for productivity in your own home and stay on top of your work and keep those distractions from getting on top of you. The more you treat your day like any other working day, the more you’ll achieve. Let’s start with the basics:
Keep a daily routine
It may seem like every day is exactly the same, but this is something that can be used to your advantage.
Let’s face the truth, you won’t be going anywhere for a while, so use your time well and from the moment you get up to the time you go to bed, keep to a routine that fits in time for work, play, and rest.
Keep a dedicated working space
The couch is always a tempting space to get stuck into your day’s work, but it’s simply not a good option as sitting that way for hours can negatively impact your posture and your productivity.
Find a place in your home where you can sit upright and attain maximum focus while also being comfortable enough to get through the day. Fill your workspace or desk with all of your essentials, a few deocrations, and ensure it is distraction-free (so, as far away from the telly as possible.)
Stay connected
Isolation can wreak havoc on your mental health, and your productivity levels can be the least of your worries if you are experiencing a time of crisis while in quarantine.
Stay conntected with family, friends, and work colleagues via phone, e-mail, Skype, or whatever conference call technology you’ve chosen to use. Never doubt the healing effects of a friendly face or a familiar voice.
Be easy on yourself
You may be able to do your work from home, but remember that this doesn’t mean you are expected to go about your work as though nothing has changed in the world. It is understandable if your usual workrate is lowered.
Don’t be hard on yourself if you’ve slowed down a little bit. These are unprecedented times, and nobody will fault you for being unable to juggle everything at once.
Keep your eyes peeled next week when we publish more tips for staying productive from your own home workstation.
