Remote work was nothing new before COVID-19. It had become increasingly popular over the last several years as a younger generation of Millennials comprised more of the workforce and sought greater flexibility over where they perform their jobs. This employment structure offers several distinct benefits — such as avoiding long-distance commutes or the need to dress up in professional business attire — but it also comes with its own set of drawbacks, which many people are beginning to learn.
The coronavirus pandemic abruptly transitioned thousands of employees from a professional office setting to a remote work environment. According to one report, as many as 31% of people who had a job at the beginning of March 2020 switched to working from home by the first week of April. As teams adjust to these changes, most are realizing that working from home (WFH) isn’t exactly easy, despite how coveted it might have seemed. Distractions are everywhere, and can quickly cause you to fall behind on assignments or lose a healthy work/life balance.
Unfortunately, recent surges in confirmed COVID-19 cases have local, state, and federal authorities scrambling to put plans in place that can help protect public safety through social distancing measures, including WFH if possible. That means there’s no telling how long it may be until offices eventually reopen (and remain open), allowing employees to resume work in a professional space where they can be more efficient.
From a cost perspective, business owners must contemplate whether it’s in their interest to continue or renew a commercial lease. If they experienced a loss in revenue due to the COVID economic crisis, they’ll most likely try to cut back on overhead costs wherever possible — including the expensive price of rent, choosing instead to make the temporary remote work a permanent change.
Given the uncertainty of what’s to come, one thing that’s clear is the need for remote employees to adapt to their new work environment. If you’re experiencing difficulty keeping up with your performance, try these three tips to stay productive while working from home.
Create a Dedicated Work Zone
Step number one is to clear out space in your home that’s dedicated to working; doing so will slowly train your mind to go into focus mode whenever you sit down at the station. Clearly, many people lack a pre-installed home office they could step right into as the pandemic rages on. Although you might not be able to materialize one overnight in response to the abrupt news at work, it doesn’t mean your desk is destined for the messy kitchen table.
You might be surprised to learn how simple it is to set up a home office in a small space, even if you’re working with a tight budget. If space truly presents too much of a challenge and there’s nowhere you can stake your ground, you can easily come up with a makeshift desk that converts your living room or bedroom into a home office.
Of course, a full-scale office setup is ideal in terms of productivity, but the most important thing is to flip the mental switch whenever you’re in the space and block out all the distractions lying around the house. Leaving your cell phone in another room, away from your tempted eyes, can be really beneficial to your concentration.
Set Up Your Home Office Strategically
While you dial in your new WFH space, there are some tips you should be aware of, like the importance of lighting. There’s a demonstrated link between lighting and productivity; it’s proven to significantly impact work rate, visual acuity, and overall well-being. If the lights are dim, the extra effort to see can lead to eye strain, headache, migraine, and decreased vision — none of which help with productivity.
Other tips for setting up your home office include the need for ergonomics (such as chairs, keyboards, and mouse pads that are specifically designed to promote sustained comfort), as well as noise cancelation that can drown out the volume of whatever else is going on around you.
Bring Your A-Game to Organization
Perhaps the most important tip in terms of your home office design is to organize methodically. To prevent a cluttered workspace — and a cluttered mind to follow — everything should be in its place, but in order for that to happen, everything must first have a home.
Everyone has their own preferred method of organization, from mounted shelves to filing cabinets, desktop caddies, and pull-out drawers. It’s recommended to opt for cabinets and drawers because if your shelf or caddy becomes disheveled at any point in the day, it can make the whole space feel unkempt. Regardless, whatever doesn’t fit within your selected furniture pieces, throw it away — otherwise, the area will look like it’s bursting at the seams, likely soon to be matched by your less-than-prime state of mind.
Finding specific things should be fast and expedient, whether that’s an item or information. Put a wall calendar on display within close sight so you never miss a meeting, dental appointment, or parent-teacher video call. Use color-coded dividers to keep documents neatly separated and remember to always carry your leftover lunch with you when you stand up and walk away from a long workday. If you return to clean space the following morning, you’ll have a much easier time diving into work and getting started right away.
Final Thoughts
Some people thrive in remote work settings; hopefully, you’re one of them. But if you’re feeling the stress of falling behind with your plate load while working from home, you’re definitely not alone. Whether you have homeschooled kids running around, pets that are equally energetic, a comfortable bed that’s impossible to leave in the morning, or a constantly vibrating cell phone within reach, the result is all the same.
Bolster your focus and concentration with these three tips for the perfect office while in quarantine. You’ll notice improved productivity as you hammer out tasks with lightning speed.
Author Bio
Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365 Business Tips as well as runs a personal blog, Mixed Bits Media. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.
