Planning and Engagement: Working Remotely – Part 1

Transcript

Working Remotely—Tips for a Productive Work Day at Home Part 1

Working from home can be a great alternative to the office setting, provided you have a strategy and implement a plan.

Some may find it hard to stay focused on work, while others may focus so intently they neglect a healthy work/life balance.

When circumstances call for working from home, it is critical to have plans and processes in place that allow a framework for maintaining long-term productivity.

While your daily schedule will call for more flexibility when you transition from working in the office to working remotely, it is crucial to establish a consistent schedule and create a productive workspace.

It is also important to keep a close working relationship and open communication with co-workers even though there will be less face-to-face interaction.

Be aware of potential distractions and minimize them as much as possible.

Here are a few tips we hope you find helpful when working from home.

Create a manageable plan for your day.

Before you start the day, or ideally the night before, create a list of tasks you plan to accomplish.  Do your best to follow that list and complete each item before the end of the day.

Establish set work hours and adhere to them.  Unless working toward a deadline, try not to work past your normal office work hours.   Likewise, set boundaries to reduce the number of distractions from household responsibilities during working hours.

Stay focused on the task at hand.

In order to optimize the most of each day, you must stay actively engaged.

It may be tempting to approach the workday casually while in your home instead of at the office.  However, try to keep your schedule as normal as possible.

Dress before starting the workday.  Of course, business casual clothes are not required, but dress in attire that inspires productivity rather than leisure.

Start your day early.  You may be tempted to relax in the morning and postpone work until later in the day; however, this type of behavior can significantly reduce productivity.  Keep your standard work hours, and begin your day at the normal time – earlier rather than later.

Dedicate a working space, ideally not in any rooms associated with rest or in rooms that invite excessive foot traffic.  Set up work parameters with your family members or roommates to reduce interruptions.

Creating and sticking to a plan as well as staying actively engaged, will help you be significantly more productive when working from home.

Join us for part two of this series where we will discuss the importance of team communication and collaboration.