Working from home? Stay productive

Many Australians could soon find themselves working remotely as employers make changes to how they operate to quell the spread of COVID-19, but ensuring you remain productive outside the office is easier said than done.

The following tips from workspace furniture outlet Vari might help you along the way –

Create a dedicated workspace
While getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle for most, it can be even tougher for those of us working from home. Instead of grabbing your laptop and heading back under the covers, you’ll want to set up a dedicated workspace. Don’t cut corners when setting up your workstation. If you have a laptop, consider getting an external monitor to expand your visual workspace. Clear your area of any personal clutter (apart from decor) that could distract you from work.

Set work hours and expectations
Be clear with everyone about the time you are “working” and the time you are “home”. Choose specific work hours that you’ll stick to and communicate them with your family, friends and co-workers. A shared calendar shows co-workers when you’re available to meet or respond to emails and when you are offline for friends and family. Setting limits can help you be more focused when working and more relaxed when you aren’t. Also, it’s okay to take breaks as you would at an office, but don’t get sucked into social media or distractions just because you’re at home.

Get dressed for work
Working in your pyjamas sounds like a pretty good perk, (and yes, it can be comfortable) but it may not be ideal for your day-to-day productivity. The act of changing clothes can help change or transition yourself into “work mode” and break up personal and professional time.

Give yourself light
Workspaces that are too dim can cause eye strain, while too much artificial light can cause sleepiness. Make sure you have at least two points of light, and ideally, one of these points should be natural light. Studies have shown that people in natural light are happier and more productive than those who work in artificial light only. If you have weak overhead lighting, try adding a task lamp to your desk.

Stay organised
This is important for productivity, but equally important for fully enjoying afterwork hours. Leaving your office area messy creates an unwelcome reminder of what needs to get done. Use trays in drawers or file things away in cabinets to put papers and unfinished business out of sight.

Be active while working
Standing up and moving at intervals throughout the day can boost your energy levels and simulates the activity you’d normally get from moving throughout the office. A standing desk converter can turn any home workspace into a more active one. Scheduling time for exercise such as yoga can also help reduce stress and add more activity to your work day.