Is HOME the new office? Boost your work performance now

To contain the COVID-19 virus, the entire country is in a state of lockdown. Malls, schools, cinema halls, public transport have all been shut. In fact, the government has urged all of us not to step out of our homes unless absolutely necessary.Many businesses across the country have asked their employees to work from home (WFH) in this context, especially those sectors where most of the work is done on a computer, such as tele-calling and digital marketing.Some of us have experience of working remotely but for those who are doing it for the first time, things can go awry. This is why we have listed down a few tips that will make your WFH experience enjoyable and productive.

Tips to enhance your WFH experience

Set up a workspace

Your first task is to hunt for a workspace that is conducive for work. It should ideally be a place in your house where you can work in a quiet atmosphere.You need a proper desk with an ergonomic chair so that you can work while maintaining a good posture. Sitting on your bed or the sofa and working means inviting backaches. Should you need to make Skype calls frequently, then ensure that the wall or the background behind you is conducive to such calls.

Organize your stuff

Gather your laptop/desktop, pen and pad, chargers, cell phone and a bottle of water and place them neatly on your worktable. If the surroundings are noisy, use earplugs or noise-cancelling earphones to drown out the noise.Also, sync your daily home routine with your work hours so that they don’t overlap and disturb one another.

Let technology help

There are multiple technologies that you can leverage at times like these. For example, you can use Google Hangouts to create a group and chat with teammates, share your screen for remote viewing and even get on video calls. Similarly, there are project management tools like Trello to help you monitor the progress of your projects.

Plan your workflow beforehand

Every day before you start work, plan your workflow first. You can create a target list, keep it near you and cross targets off the list as you complete them. This will motivate you to complete your tasks on time.

Communicate

During WFH, some people tend to slack off from work. Communicate with your team members and manager via video calling or online chat instead of sending emails. This is will show that you are always accessible and are carrying out your duties earnestly.If you are alone at home then participate in non-work related video hangouts with your team to prevent social isolation.

Keep distractions at bay

The biggest threat to any WFH routine is distractions. So talk to the people in your home and establish a few ground rules with them. This way you won’t get involved in housework and conversations during your work hours.Remember that you are earning a salary for this period so you have to stay committed to your timings and deliverables. If you don’t, then your professional integrity may be compromised.

Stay off social media

It’s easy to get distracted by social media because there is no one to keep tabs on your work during WFH. This is why you have to keep all your social media accounts off during work hours. Turn off notifications and only use data for work and communicating with your colleagues.

Get into your office gear

Another way to transition yourself to your WFH routine is to wear your work clothes when you work. This will help you retain a familiar aspect of your workplace and keep you motivated. Once your work is done, you can slip back into your home clothes.This practice can help you maintain a clear distinction between work and home. Being in your work clothes while making Skype calls to your team is also a good idea.

Take regular breaks

In your office, a colleague stopping by or a trip to the coffee machine ushered a break. In WFH, you can set up reminders to alert you to take regular breaks to get up from your seat and move about a little. You can also do bouts of exercise like spot jogging and squats during these breaks to keep your body fit. Remember that you won’t be moving around much during the lockdown period so to avoid the risks of a sedentary lifestyle, stay active whenever possible.

Create a routine

Form a routine similar to the one you follow on a regular workday. Freshen up, change into work clothes and then take a small commute to your work desk. At the end of the day, shut down your device and pack it in the bag just like you do in the office. This routine can help you transition from personal to professional and vice-versa.

Conclusion

Enhance your WFH experience during the lockdown with these tips. Don’t forget to maintain social distancing and personal hygiene to stay safe. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult A Doctor on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']Coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate, and is something you should be cautious against! So, don’t leave space for any confusion! If you have medical queries on Coronavirus, call us on 080-47193456 [/av_promobox] References:Economictimes