The global spread of the coronavirus has caused many companies to shift to a "remote work" system. Employees are therefore working from home, doing so-called home office. Since the end of this invisible enemy is unknown, we will likely spend the near future working remotely as well. However, working from home also requires a certain amount of discipline. How to be as effective as possible?
To achieve the desired quality of work as a remote worker and be maximally effective, you will need to change your daily habits and routines. If you do not work in a dedicated office space, it often happens that you are distracted by a number of different stimuli (e.g. the dishes in the sink are literally overflowing; the kids constantly need something; is it a desk for work or a dining table, or both?). Resist the urge of these distracting elements and become effective even in a home office. Here are some tips and inspiring practices on how to lead a better and more productive life while working remotely. We realize that right now, more than ever, it is important to join forces, keep working, and take care of one another.
1. Maintain your morning routine
A morning routine is an effective way to start every day. Whether it's 06:00 or noon, establishing a routine simply makes sense for you. So let's try towake up every day with pleasant music in the background and, most importantly, at the same time. If you belong to the people for whom a bed with a comfortable mattress is literally a magnet, to make waking up easier, take a shower and use your Fibaro flood sensor a bit unconventionally! After starting the shower in the bathroom, your favorite Spotify playlist will turn on, and a signal will also be sent to the coffee maker in the kitchen, because what could be better than starting the day with a great cup of coffee!
Working from home has a lot of advantages in itself. One of them is certainly that you avoid the daily commute to work. And since you no longer have to commute, you save a lot of time. So take some time for yourself, go for a run in the morning, or have a long breakfast. But always stick to your set routine, because that is the key to your success as an effective remote worker.
2. Minimize distractions, maximize productivity!
When working from home, colleagues no longer come to your desk, nor do we hear the office sounds that often distracted our attention. Organize your schedule for better productivity and divide your day into sort of small blocks. Setting simple timers in Homey will help you schedule short breaks.
It sounds so simple, right? However, when you add children to the mix, things can become more complicated very quickly. They always want and need your constant attention. Children are the spice of life and for parents they always come first. But for you to be able to focus productively on work, clear rules regarding interruptions need to be set. Let your kids know when it's the right time to talk to you. How to do it? Give instructions to the smart Gledopto spotlights so the light in their room turns green when you have a dedicated moment for them. Who said parenting is hard? :)
3. Take a break
Breaks should certainly not be missing from your work schedule plan. Your eyes and spine will thank you if you treat yourself to some time away from the computer screen during the day. It is these breaks that will help you "switch off" a bit and prepare you for another effective work block. If you work from home for long hours at a computer, an ergonomic work environment can also help – for example, a quality chair or an anatomical pillow that supports proper posture. So don't be afraid to start your lunch break as soon as lunchtime strikes. Play some music on your favorite Nest Hub smart display and turn on any kitchen appliance using a smart Fibaro wall plug.
Do you like going for a walk during your break? Definitely keep doing that! However, in times of a pandemic, we still keep in mind the instructions of medical experts regarding hygiene. With a smart lock from Nuki, Danalock, you won't even have to touch the door handle.
4. Reward yourself after a day of hard work
When you basically live in your office, it's easy to burn out. There are no colleagues around packing up and leaving the office to remind you to do the same. Set an alarm in Homey that indicates your regular workday is coming to an end. Let your Soundboard app play a favorite song that will pour a dose of fresh energy into you for the rest of the time, which you will enjoy as you please.
As the saying goes, "no pain, no gain". But we have worked honestly. So why not reward yourself after a long and productive day? How about some great food? Don't have time to cook? Food delivery services are still operating. In these times, it is good to consider whether you stay at home and order food online to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus. Pair your smart Doorbird video doorbell with aLoqed smart lock and let the courier hand over the fragrant food from a safe distance.
Above all, find out for yourself what works best for you and then adjust your workday routine accordingly. Finally, we would like to wish everyone a lot of strength and health. Stay in touch not only with your colleagues but also with your family and friends, because this is very important in times of isolation. Fingers crossed, think smart, and stay strong! 💪