Working from Home: A CV Writer’s Guide to Increasing Productivity
With everything going on in the world right now, there’s a good chance that you’ve transitioned to working from home, possibly for the first time.
Working from home has some significant advantages, including a better work/life balance and a reduction in stress. However, it can be challenging to adapt to, especially if you thrive in a social, office environment. Here are some ways that you can buckle down at home and increase your productivity.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
Propping a laptop on your knees on the sofa in front of the TV just isn’t going to cut it, unfortunately. To simulate the workplace experience, you will need to try your best to create a space that is entirely dedicated to working from home.
This might be a challenge if you’re limited on space, but try to clear a counter, table or desk and set up a proper workspace. And if you must clear it away at the end of every day, no matter, that daily set up can replace your morning commute!
Remove Distractions
This is not just limited to switching that phone off and making sure you’re not watching TV; the home can be full of additional distractions that you don’t encounter in the office. Pets, children, mess…these distractions can crop up constantly and take your attention away from your work.
Try to remove as many distractions as possible. If a messy kitchen bothers you, try to clean it before starting work, or move your workspace somewhere where you won’t be tempted to stop working to scrub down that messy surface that has been bothering you. While working from home, you need to create a clear distinction between work and home life and try not to cross these lines.
Make a To-Do List
A list of priorities can help you focus and keep you motivated throughout the day. Write down what you want to accomplish each day and return to your list periodically if you find yourself getting stuck in a rut. Check things off the list as you go along so you can visually see yourself achieving your goals, which will help your productivity.
Stick to a Schedule
Most people have a routine in their workplace, try to stick to yours at home as much as possible. This includes coffee and lunch breaks. By sticking to a rigid schedule rather than just playing it by ear, your workday will be much more efficient, and your attention will be focused on your tasks, allowing your productivity to flourish.
Stay Connected
Stay connected during this time with your work colleagues, whether it’s via messaging or video chatting. Online tools can help with this, and it will help you to remain grounded and not feel so detached from your usual working routine. These meetings don’t always have to be work-related, even a weekly team meeting for a casual chat and catch-up can boost morale and help everyone stay more productive.
Set Boundaries with Others
Unless you live alone, you will need to establish boundaries with housemates/partner/children etc. They need to know when you are unavailable for a chat or to hang out. Let them know your working hours and when your breaks are and insist that they give you your space when you’re “at work”. Just because you are physically at home, doesn’t mean you’re available.
Work Like You’re in the Office
It might be tempting to keep your pyjamas on throughout the entire day, after all, who’s going to know? But by not getting dressed, you’re not getting into the right kind of mindset for the working day. Of course, if you’re used to dressing in formal attire for work, working from home can be an opportunity for a more relaxed dress code, but last night’s PJs might be taking it a step too far.
Similarly, try to keep up the same standards for in everything you do at work while at home. Working from home is no excuse for letting standards slip, if anything, it’s a chance to show that you’re capable of adapting to unique situations and keeping your work to a high standard – the perfect way to demonstrate to your boss and future employers that you’re flexible and resilient.
If you do decide to change jobs, this experience is a great thing to put down on that CV. Your adaptability to working from home and maintaining rigorous standards demonstrates a reliable employee. So when this comes to an end, make sure you take the experience with you into the future.