So the novelty has worn off now you’ve been working from home for a month. Suddenly it’s not as exciting to be able to raid the biscuit tin at will, load the washing machine or have a cuppa in the garden (you’re spending an inexorable amount of time out there anyway…) Then how do you keep motivation high when it looks like we’re in lockdown territory for a while longer yet?
1 Adjust Your Work Processes
You may have set up a temporary work space at the end of the hallway, in a handy nook upstairs or simply taken over a quietish spot in the dining room. Wherever you’ve chosen, unless you usually work from home, it’s likely that your processes aren’t quite as efficient as those you’d normally use. This is frustrating in itself, but even more annoying is the knock on effect of spending additional time doing the same job.
So rather than throwing yourself headlong into the tasks of the day, why not spend a bit of time revisiting how you store your photos, teach yourself those Excel quick wins or simply devise a more efficient in / out tray system? Saving time in the long run and avoiding repetitive tasks will make you feel productive and gear you up for more efficiency-driving projects.
2 Tidy Space, Tidy Mind
No-one wants to be working amidst a state of disorganisation. Make sure your desk is de-cluttered and rid of any excess mess or debris that’s unrelated to your work. Magazine racks and expanding files are inexpensive and readily available from the likes of Amazon; even better if you can find a local supplier who’s taking orders. If you’ve got a shelf close by where you can organise your filing, you’ll be creating clutter-free desk, whilst keeping your resources accessible, avoiding a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’
3 A Comfy Well-Lit Environment
An important factor of being productive at home is making sure that you are comfortable in your surroundings. If you originally set up your work station in a flurry of enthusiasm, you might have grabbed the closest chair which isn’t necessarily the most supportive. Long-term your posture will appreciate you finding a more ergonomic solution, at the very least a couple of carefully positioned cushions! Likewise, readjust your desk top so you’re not straining your neck and back by hunching over.
Working in a dark and dingy space isn’t recommended either, so if you’ve managed to locate a convenient spot that is exposed to lots of natural light, then take a seat. Having your desk positioned in front of a window with a garden view will maximise your productivity and help you relax, connecting you with the outside world.
4 Stay Social With Work Colleagues
Whether it’s by Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams, interacting online with your colleagues provides a major boost and not just for work purposes – seeing a familiar face and enjoying some chat unrelated to your house-hold or the news will be a breath of fresh air. We all need the opportunity to gain inspiration from each other and never more so than now. You’ll be doing your colleague a favour too.
5 Establish A Routine And Take A Break
As tempting as it seems to be ‘flexible’, try and stick to your regular working hours. Whilst there’s the new-found convenience factor of managing the household chores in and amongst your work, mixing your home life and work isn’t always a good thing, especially with a full household currently in situ. By the end of the day you may feel that you haven’t given your all to either your work or your family, and feeling guilty about either is by no means motivating.
Taking time out is monumentally important for your productivity levels. You might think you’re being super-efficient not having your colleagues around to chat with over a coffee, but think again. Your brain needs a break and physical exercise which you might be missing out on by not ‘going’ to work is important for re-establishing concentration, as well as for a multitude of other reasons associated with well-being and sleeping. Whilst your dog has probably never been walked so much as in the last month, having a purpose whilst taking a break is ideal, especially if you like to assess your overall productivity.
If you decide to make your work-from home-arrangements more permanent, you might be interested in having a bespoke streamlined home study designed for just you, and here at Hartleys we’d love to help! Whilst our showroom is currently closed, please view our website for inspo on fitted furniture solutions and contact us here. We’ll be right back to you!