Covid-19 has imposed a lot of changes to our everyday lives. For instance, it has normalized remote work globally. Such changes have opened a door of opportunities for companies and employees. Employers can now hire talent and expertise from all over the world. This modification in the professional world has allowed us to work from literally anywhere in the world as long as we have access to a computer and a good internet connection.
But, working-from-home has its cons as well. People find it hard to focus amongst homely distractions. A lot of us are unable to separate our professional lives from our home life. Just know that it is normal to feel a little overwhelmed when you are unable to get your work-life in routine. One solution to the majority of the problems associated with work-from-home is discipline. All you need is an ironclad schedule that will help you become consistent and more productive while working from home. Here are a few tips that will help create a healthy work-from-home schedule:
1.Set A Specific Time For Everything
Remote working comes with the privilege of having the reins of your working time in your own hands. But instead using it to our advantage, we tend to procrastinate. This problem can be overcome by scheduling the exact start and end times of each working day. Only allow yourself to work in the devised working hours or else you’ll get burned out easily. Leave your working space as soon as your working time is up.
2.Keep Working Hours Same For Everyday
Discipline needs to come into practice if you plan on working from home. Otherwise, you’ll end up being buried in deadlines and won’t be able to deliver your work effectively. Sticking to the same working hours every day will allow you to be more consistent and effective in scratching tasks off of your to-do list. You can also let people know that you’ll be unavailable at certain hours of the day to avoid any distractions.
3.Incorporate Regular Breaks Into Your Schedule
Make sure that you add regular breaks into your work time. Taking breaks will allow your brain to refresh. Use your break time to stretch, go for a walk, or spend time with your friends and loved ones.
Studies have shown that taking regular breaks while working is important in relieving stress. It improves your productivity and reduces the chances of fatigue, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
4.Plan Ahead But Keep Disruptions In-check
Always plan your day the night before. It helps get more things done in less time. Identify the hardest task and make it your priority for the next day. Allow yourself to be a little elastic when comes to planning. Take into account the fact that your day may not go exactly as you planned it the night before.
In case of disruptions, prioritize tasks that can’t be put on hold. Then decide which tasks can be moved to the next day.
5.Schedule Time For Self-care
You can’t be a productive and efficient remote worker if you don’t take care of yourself. When it comes to self-care, we mean both your physical and mental health should be taken care of properly. Don’t forget to add appropriate eating and sleeping times into your schedule.
6.Take A Day Off
Another mistake made by remote workers is that they don’t schedule their downtime. You have to take at least a day or two off in a week to unwind. Remote working can be more stressful than conventional working because you have to deal with everything yourself. Which makes it even more important to take a break. You can use your day off to plan your coming week, spend time with your family and friends, and just relax.
7.Schedule Time Out Of The House
Staying indoors all day can be very unhealthy for both your mental and physical health. So, schedule a little time out of the house. Get some fresh air. Go out for lunch with a friend. Even if you prefer cooking at home, you can always go for a picnic at the park. But the important thing is to get yourself under the blue sky and get some natural light. Remote working can make your home feel like an office. So, stepping away from the desk to go outside for a while is the perfect way to unwind your brain. It’ll help you get ready for whatever’s coming your way ahead of the day.
Final Word
Working-from-home has made working easy for a lot of people all around the globe. But it can be a little hard to get used to a new concept of working. If you have chosen to work remotely then you have to be careful about your health and productivity. The best way to be disciplined, consistent, and productive in a work-from-home setting is to create a schedule that works the best for you. Once you have created a schedule, try sticking to it as much as possible. And as you work, you can reorganize your schedule as needed.
