As someone who has worked remotely for the past 18 years with Canadian and US companies, the shift to remote work during the pandemic was an interesting dynamic to see. I saw many friends and co-workers experience it for the first time and some were productive and others had a hard time adjusting to the change. As a seasoned remote worker, I’ve can share some things that have worked for me over the years. Here are my 5 Ways To Stay Productive While Working From Home.

Keep Your Routine

While working in the office, you set the alarm; you got dressed, had your coffee, and arrived at your office by a certain time. Your workday started by checking emails, voicemails, attending meetings, going to lunch, taking regular breaks and leaving the office at the same time each day. Suddenly, you find yourself working from home and the routine has drastically changed. Here are some great ideas that can help.

Get up at the same time and great dressed. If you went to the gym, follow the same routine. When you're clean and presentable it helps get you in the "business" state of mind, so "dressing for success" is best.  Still, get up at the same time each day and get dressed as if you are going into the office.

Arrive at your workspace or desk at the same time each day. Even though you aren't commuting, it helps to start at your regular time to keep the routine and breaks in sync as well as be on the same schedule as your co-workers. The same goes for leaving the office. Try not to stay past your regular quitting time to work late.

If you have a family at home, it's best to establish your office hours with everyone else in the house. Families need to understand that when the door is closed, we are at work. If your door is open, then you’re at home. It’s challenging to be productive when you’re being interrupted every 10 minutes with personal matters. 

Stay Social And Take Regular Breaks

Working from home is an excellent opportunity to maximize your time and productivity because you don’t have the same distractions you have at a corporate office.  It is essential to stay connected with colleagues and attend regularly scheduled meetings or social events the company offers. Some companies may offer health and wellness breaks or webinars to assist with physical and mental health but also connect employees.

Establish regular coffee and walk breaks throughout your day. I find mid-morning is a good time to go outside for a walk to get some fresh air and move after sitting for a few hours straight and repeat this in the mid-afternoon.

Customize Your Home Office Space

Create and maintain a similar environment to what existed when working at a corporate office. This will minimize distractions and help you stay focused on your "work time" versus your "home time".

Often, we are limited by the amount of space we have especially with condo living, but that shouldn't dictate our level of production or organization. With many meetings being handled via web conference, it’s important to maintain a neat, organized, and well-lit workstation and background. Ensure you have good lighting or a nearby window that helps you look your best while on camera. A comfortable desk and ergonomic chair will help you stay comfortable while sitting for long periods of time if you're on back-to-back Zoom or conference calls.

Listen To Music

If your home office is too quiet adding some music throughout the day can help improve your mood and keep things upbeat and productive. Music is a mood booster and reduces stress and anxiety. A more relaxing type of soft music is better than something that is too loud and distracting.

Leave Your Office At The End Of Your Workday

When your workday ends, ensure you’re shutting everything down just as you would in the office. This way you won’t be tempted to go back in and try to work later after dinner. The separation of business and personal time is so important for mental and physical health. You’ve put in your time at the office and now it’s your personal time the rest of the day. At the end of the day, I actually leave my house and go to the gym for an hour or so. For me, physically leaving the environment that I’ve been in all day helps get me moving and shake off any stress from the workday.

As someone who has enjoyed working from home longer than in the office, I hope these suggestions will help you during the transition and provide success in your workday. Stay focused and enjoy the benefits that come from working at home. 

Feel free to share your comments below on working from home and how you stay productive.

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