Productivity Tips for Remote Workers
COVID-19 has forced many offices to go remote, and people are scrambling to adjust. As a #wfh veteran, I’ve learned a few lessons over the years of how to stay productive and keep my sanity while working remote.
Here are six things I wish someone told me when I first started working from home. Whether you’re working remote due to the pandemic or have permanently made the switch, I hope this helps you find balance, productivity, and connection.
Have a Designated Workspace
A home office (preferably with a door!) allows you to separate yourself from distractions. If you’re working from your kitchen table, the hustle and bustle of the heart of your home can easily derail your work day. I use our spare bedroom as my home office. I keep it very organized and clean, and my husband knows not to disturb me when my office door is closed.
If you don’t have an extra room to serve as your office, designate a permanent work space that’s off limits to the rest of your household. If possible, set up your workspace in a low-traffic area of your home, like your bedroom.
Make Your Workspace Your Own
I spend the majority of my time in my office, and it’s the only room in our house that’s just mine. I wanted my office space to not only function for my needs, but also feel like a cozy and inspiring space for me to be creative, calm, and productive. My top priorities for my home office are comfort and functionality. I highly recommend investing in a desktop monitor, laptop stand, and comfortable chair to support your posture throughout the day. I also use a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and full desktop mouse pad for ease of use.
Apart from the ergonomics of my work space, I wanted to fill my office with cozy and inspiring personal touches. I chose the room in our apartment that has the most natural light, added a beautiful money tree and hanging plant, and hung artwork and photos that bring me joy. In addition to my desk, I also have an armchair for reading and laptop work. My office has the calmest energy in our home, and that creates the environment for me to be my most creative and productive.
Schedule Your Start Time
As a freelancer, I fully embrace a flexible work schedule and less than 40-hour work weeks. If you’re working from home and have flexible hours, I don’t think it’s necessary to schedule out your entire day. After all, that kind of defeats the purpose! However, establishing a fixed start time is a great habit to help you start your work day diligently. Otherwise, the day tends to get away from me.
I typically start my work day at 9 am. This gives me time to work out, walk my dogs, eat my breakfast, and get dressed. It’s also around the time my husband leaves for work, which is a reliable que for me to shift into work mode. When 9 am rolls around, I head into my office with my coffee and start my day. If you don’t have a natural cue to shift into your work day, try setting an alarm to remind you.
Toggle Between Timed Work Intervals
When I’m in the writing zone, I can work for hours without a break. However, deadlines are deadlines, and most writers don’t have the luxury of waiting until we’re in a flow state to work. My husband teaches piano pedagogy at the University of Alabama, and recommends that students use a method called interleaved practice which inspired me to time my work blocks. A very basic explanation of this method is to switch between multiple tasks in timed intervals to help you focus more rigorously on each task.
I’ve found this particularly helpful when I have a dense, long-form project that requires intense focus. I typically start with a 30-minute window to focus on one project. Then, I spend 20 minutes working on something more mindless or administrative, followed by a 10-minute break to walk around, grab a snack, or get some chores done. I know it seems like a 30-minute interval doesn’t leave you much time, but my productivity during that 30 minutes is much higher than normal, and I typically complete my projects more quickly when using this method.
Get Dressed a Few Days Per Week
I’ve come across so many remote workers who swear by getting dressed in a cute outfit every day, and I disagree to an extent. One of the reasons I love working from home is that I can dress comfortably and don’t have to look put together all the time. However, having a routine of getting ready for work can help you transition from home time to work time.
I have a quick morning routine in which I wash my face, brush my teeth, and change into fresh clothes. I’ll be the first to admit that there are days when I change into different pajamas because sometimes a girl just needs to be cozy. However, I do try to wear a cute outfit at least a few days per week. Since I don’t leave the house every day, having a real outfit on does brighten my mood and make me feel more professional.
Connect with People Virtually
I can’t stress enough how important it is to connect with people every day, even if it’s virtually. Working from home gets lonely, especially if you don’t work with a team. I have group texts and chat rooms with other friends who work from home. I even participate in a “virtual co-working space’ occasionally just to feel like I’m working in an office with other people.
Small talk is something we take for granted when working in a traditional office space. Human connection might not seem like the key to productivity—it can be distracting after all! But my remote friendships and virtual communities makes me excited to sit down at my desk every day. It gives me something to look forward to apart from my work, and offers a welcome sense of community and conversation.
Hopefully, things will return to normal soon, but I have a feeling that this wave of remote work isn’t going anywhere. I love working from home, but it can take a while to find the rhythm that works for you. If you’re having a hard time adjusting, hang in there and know that you’re not alone.