Productivity Hacks for Working from Home

Following the Gartner HR Practice analysis which shows that 48% of employees will likely work remotely at least part of the time after the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 30% pre-pandemic, we can safely say that remote working is a huge part of the new normal for many businesses that survive or emerge during and after this global pandemic. With this development, employees that find themselves in the 48% need to understand that their job description has moved largely from activities to results.

Now working from home can be quite challenging even with the opportunity of a flexible schedule, especially for employees who aren’t used to working remotely but with the right productivity hacks for working from home and the right mindset you can make it work. With these hacks you will be able to overcome distractions that can zap your productivity which will hinder your results.

With the hopes that your employer has provided the necessary equipment like computers, tablets, laptops, and proper access to internet, you can try out these hacks to improve productivity;

Start with a morning exercise to release some adrenaline, you can think of this as ‘your normal going to the office routine’. This time out will not only be beneficial to your body but also to your mind and helps you get into the mood to prepare for a good day’s work. It will also help to dress up for the day because getting dressed can make you feel more determined to get your work done.

Create a workspace: designating a particular space in your house for work is one of the first things you need to do. Many people actually advice that we should resist the tempting urge to work from the bed or sofa as it could defeat the goal, but surprisingly these kind of spaces work for some people so I will rather say understand yourself first. This understanding will determine where you create that workspace you need to ‘go’ to for some work. Wherever that place is, ensure that it reflects what YOU need to work whether you like clutter or cleanliness. It is important to note that the key component in making this hack work is an Understanding of Yourself.

Create a schedule or routine around your work because having a structured schedule actually helps boost productivity. This also makes it a whole lot easier to keep your work and personal time separate. Ensure your schedule is based on the types of work you do, and based on the time zone of where your clients and coworkers are located as this will encourage effective communication.

Be intentional about communication: social isolation or physical distancing can greatly impact your team cohesiveness, so it is important for you to be intentional about communicating with your colleagues, bosses and even clients. If you live with family members or roommates, it is also important to communicate set boundaries with them so they can know and respect your work time and play time.

Other hacks include; taking breaks in between your schedule which includes a physical activity to boost your level of focus rather than just sitting all day, intentionally avoid distractions and flee from procrastination, be intentional about upskilling yourself by learning new things using any of the eLearning platforms available, and finally know when to actually be done or simply set a closing time and stick to it.

Finally, to deliver on employee experience HR managers must consider how working from home shifts performance management and particularly how goals are set and how employees are evaluated. For the employees, understanding yourself and imbibing the mindset of delivering results and not just performing activities will greatly help you stand out and remain relevant in your organization.

UDOM