It’s no secret that working from home can be a big transition. There is no longer the set structure of office life, and projects require self-motivation and drive to complete as each deadline rolls around. Working from home has its advantages though, you can create a space where you feel comfortable and focused. Working from home allows greater productivity, with less time spent commuting or preparing clothing and dressing “office-ready” every morning.
Working from home does have a downside. Many workers feel burnt out and unmotivated to complete work, and work submitting may not have the same quality as before. To prevent falling into a rut, focusing on scheduling and self-care can prevent this from happening.
Take Advantage of the Fact You Have No Commute
Cutting a commute to and from the office might not seem like it would make a big difference, but the time saved is significant. Americans spend an average of around 87 minutes a day in their cars – while that may not be the case for others, who spend an average of 60 minutes on their commute. Traffic can be, at times, unpredictable, and the worry of hitting traffic work or an accident can add time to any commute.
Cutting commute times can also cut that feeling of having to rush out the door. Workers spend less time on the road and more time waking up and having a relaxing morning before starting the workday.
Keep a Set Schedule
Even while working from home, it is still essential to keep a set routine. When working from a home office, it is easy to hit the snooze button a few extra times in the mindset that your office may be just across the hall. Setting a morning routine to get up at the same time every day, shower, and have breakfast can make a world of difference. It provides that feeling of structure to motivate you to get the day started. The goal is to have the mindset that you are starting the morning off in the same way when going to a physical office.
Self-care shouldn’t only be limited to mornings. Taking time during the day to take short breaks to get away from the computer screen to take 15 minutes to exercise or relax for a moment can restart and refresh your motivation. Take time to have a lunch break in an area away from your office space, which keeps that area strictly dedicated to working.
Work “With” Someone Else
One of the changes that can be disheartening for workers can be the lack of face-to-face interactions. With so many calls and meetings held over Zoom since the COVID-19 pandemic, it can leave you feeling isolated. A way to combat that feeling is by creating a co-working space with people in your own home. It can be as simple as having two desks within an office space. There has been a boom in co-working spaces since COVID-19, and the prediction is that there will be over 6,200 co-working spaces by 2022.
Stay Vigilant About Cybersecurity
While offices have dedicated networks to protect their information, many home office settings do not have the same technology. The FBI has found that there has been a 300 percent rise in cybercrimes since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States alone. Keep devices updated or ask for an upgraded one, change all WiFi and login passwords, and always turn off your work computer when it is not in use.
Keeping these practices in mind can prevent burnout, stress, and even feeling hopeless in an at-home workspace. Always keep in mind to ask for help from your employer if needed.