With the outbreak of the corona virus, organizations and businesses have had to change their work format and have their employees work from home. Even as the spread and lock down eases, working remotely is still the reality for a lot of people, and even though several organizations have realized that working from home is productive, it is still important to maintain balance and stay productive. These tips can help you do just that.
Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, how to work and where to work. By doing this, it’s easier to create boundaries between work and personal life and here’s how to that.
- MAINTAIN REGULAR WORK HOURS
While one of the benefits of working from home is the flexibility it offers, it’s also very easy to get carried away and work longer hours that creep into one’s personal time. To avoid this, set a schedule and stick to it. Having clear guidelines will help keep the boundaries, and even when there is a reason to work late, sleeping in a bit the next morning to make up for it, is another way to go.
2. SET GROUND RULES WITH PEOPLE AROUND YOU
Set ground rules for the people you share your space with. Let them know what’s acceptable and what’s not. To keep productivity up and also help your concentration, there’s a need to let the people around you understand that just because you are physically available, you can attend to all their needs. Do not take domestic labor on by default just because you are home so you don’t feel taken for granted.
3. SCHEDULE BREAKS
Work breaks are so important! Whether you work for someone or you are self-employed, ensure to take some time off the screen for at least one hour. This will keep you refreshed and help you avoid a burnout.
4. ASK FOR HELP
If your organization supports your work-from-home setup, then do not hesitate to ask for equipment such as a printer, monitor, keyboard, chair, and even the necessary software. There will most likely be a budget set up for things like this by the organization, so do well to make good use of it as this will help you deliver better services.
And finally….
5. MAINTAIN A SEPARATE PHONE NUMBER
Set up a phone number that you only use for calls with colleagues and clients. It doesn’t even have to be a different phone entirely, just another SIM card will do the trick. Doing this will help you leave the work at work and maintain the perfect work-life balance.
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