Tips for working from home

1. Set up a good work space

Since your work space and home space are now under the same roof, it’s important to have a dedicated area for working, so your mind can differentiate between working time and relaxing time. Find an area you will dedicate to working, and commit to working in this space every day. Make sure you’re set up in a way that allows you to work effectively with all the equipment you need.

2. Set your working hours

If you’ve decided to work the same hours as you normally do in the office, make sure you stick to them, and log off at the end of your work day to spend time winding down. It is more important than ever to establish a good work-life balance, as it is easy to let work creep into your home life, since it is always there.

3. Maintain a good to-do list

Working from home can make your day feel all over the place, and it can be hard to keep track of and prioritise your tasks. Establish a way of maintaining your to-do list that works for you, and stick with it. Start each day by reviewing your tasks and their priority level, and work out a plan of attack for that day.

4. Don’t work in your pjs

It can be tempting to just roll out of bed and start working, or even to start your work day in bed! But working in your pjs can be detrimental to your productivity. You don’t need to get all dressed up every day, but putting in a little bit of effort can make you feel more put-together and ready for a productive day.

5. Exercise regularly

Being stuck in the house all day can reduce motivation and make the day feel longer. Exercise naturally boosts endorphins, which increases happiness and productivity. Get out of the house on your lunch break for a walk or a run, or at the very minimum make sure to regularly stretch.

6. Take short breaks

Research has shown that taking short breaks throughout your work day can increase productivity and creativity levels. Set time aside in your calendar for short breaks, and actually take them. Go and grab a coffee or a tea and stretch your legs, you’ll be readier to tackle that next task when you return.

7. Listen to music

There are heaps of great playlists on Spotify for different moods. If you’re in the zone and powering through work, upbeat music can help you focus. If you don’t want anything too loud or distracting, lyric-free, laid-back music can help you complete your tasks. Here are some links to some great Spotify playlists for your work day:

Morning Coffee – Wake Up

Afternoon Energy Boost

End of day uplift

8. Check in with co-workers frequently

The biggest problem home-workers face is loneliness. Tackle this by regularly talking with your co-workers through video calls or just chatting on Teams. They’re in the same boat as you, and it can help to talk about your day with someone.

This blog post is the intellectual property of ABN Group and is being used on this site solely as a representation of my work.