When COVID-19 made it mandatory for businesses all around the world to have their employees having remote work tools for working online , remote work became a huge topic. Whether we like it or not, the way we work has changed, and many people are adopting an online work environment.
This lockdown raised issues in the minds of both employees and employers about the viability of working from home or practicing remote working. Questions like “Will I be able to maintain the same level of work-life balance as before?” and “Will this have an impact on my work-life balance?” are emerging all around.
Many people are aware of the benefits that working from home may provide. It’s enticing to sit on the couch instead of going to work, to avoid dealing with irate supervisors, to avoid having to come to work extremely early every morning, and even to have regular snack-outs in the middle of schedules. However, as convenient as working from home might be, it also has the potential to derail your entire schedule and prove to be highly harmful to your career!
Working from home may lead to a loss of productivity, a lack of motivation, unmonitored performance owing to frequent pauses, distractions, and the danger of overworking, among other things. Fortunately, these problems, as well as many others, can be avoided by simply getting the basics right, having well-organized routines, and setting ground rules to follow see also finger print security system .
Here are some recommendations to assist you to overcome your fears about remote working and coping with the drawbacks of this latest progress.
Set up a dedicated office space
Make sure you are fully prepared to work from home, and never make the mistake of working from the comfort of your couch or in bed simply because you can since this will quickly take down your productivity levels. Get all the tools you will require to get the job done and set them up in your home office. Provide a stable network and internet connection such as a Wi-fi router, obtain the required tech tools you need such as Skype, Zoom for video conferencing, or Trello for project management, and keep your systems updated since old technologies may be uncomfortable in emergency business scenarios. Make your workspace as functional as possible.
Keep Regular hours of remote work
As appealing as remote working might be, it has the potential to convert an individual into a constant workaholic who has little time for family or social connections, which is hazardous to one’s mental health. It is advisable to keep normal work hours, such as a conventional nine-to-five schedule while working remotely. Setting a plan and adhering to it is important since your personal life is just as essential as your business life. Create a timetable and follow it; shut down your laptop when work time finishes to avoid overworking; and return to your home-work place at the appointed hour. This helps to reduce fatigue and makes one more focused on one’s work without any distractions.
Take Breaks
As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull lad.” Don’t become Jack; depriving yourself of an adequate amount of sleep, social and human connection, and nutritious food is harmful to your health and, by extension, your job. Take frequent breaks for lunch whenever you feel like your energy is draining out and get enough rest so you can return to work feeling more focused. Pick up the phone instead of emailing.
Organize your work schedules
Sometimes it may feel as if you will never finish all of the tasks you have to complete, and your thoughts about all of the other things you have to do are distracting you from the work at hand. Setting up a to-do list is the best strategy to cope with it. You may arrange them according to their significance, the amount of time it takes to complete them, the deadlines, or whichever you choose. Once you have set out time for each assignment you may go ahead and start out with the first task on the list. This not only helps to clear your mind by allowing you to stay focused throughout the day on the task in front of you, but gives you the sense of accomplishment as you are crossing out the tasks you are done with from the list one by one.
Regular exercise
We tend to focus on the physical advantages of exercise when considering its worth. However, over the last decade, scientists have gradually accumulated a solid data showing that regular exercise has another, more immediate benefit: its influence on our thinking. Exercise has been demonstrated to lower stress, weariness, increase performance, and lead to fewer days off from work. Exercise is a natural stress reliever, helps employees deal with chronic stress. However, even as it is believed that exercise boosts workplace productivity, it’s essential to note that it is ‘regular exercise’ that plays part in boosting productivity. According to studies, the part of the brain connected with learning and memory systems expands when people exercise more.
Keep up positive relationships
Maintaining healthy ties with friends and family is critical, particularly while working from distance. Remember that anxiety or long-term stress might make it difficult to concentrate on a workload. To live a healthy, full life, remember to check in with your loved ones and maintain social interactions.
Bring a little bit of fun every day
Additional concerns arise as a result of the pandemic’s actuality and distant working. According to studies, health concerns, financial concerns, loneliness, and family stress are all on the rise. So it is more important than ever to make time for your hobbies, whether it is photography, yoga, cooking, sports, or simply taking long walks. Plan a daily positive idea for the upcoming week to encourage positive thinking for your future self. It may assist to relieve tensions and anxiety, as well as encourage you to be nicer to yourself and others.
