Wherever possible, workers up and down the country have been operating in lockdown for months now. Companies throughout the UK have successfully adjusted to the “new normal” and in fact, many are finding that this new way of working comes with benefits they may not have anticipated.
Fewer overheads, boosted efficiency and less time spent commuting are just a few of the by-products of working from home that may be proving cost-effective in the longer-term. It may be that many businesses decide to adapt their working practices permanently, or for the foreseeable future. Whatever happens, it seems likely that working and learning from home are only set to become more commonplace over time.
However, while there are many benefits to working from home, there are also challenges, particularly on a personal level for those doing it day to day. When it comes to juggling work and family life all under one roof, it’s worth making changes that will enable you to work from home comfortably and productively now and in the future.
We’ve created a helpful working from home tips guide outlining our top advice for productivity and success during lockdown and beyond.
Create a permanent workspace
Regardless of whether you live alone or have a busy household, the house can be full of distractions. With limiting these in mind, it’s a good idea to create a permanent workspace where you can get your work done in peace and quiet.
So, whether you’ve got a spare bedroom, an unused loft space or even just a quiet corner in the living room, find your space and make it your own.
Technology
As it looks like many of us are going to be working from home for the foreseeable, it’s worthwhile investing in the technology you need to be able to maintain a high standard of work from home.
Whether you need a laptop, desktop or tablet, or even a remote phone system and high-performance router, having the technology to hand that you need can have a huge impact on your success and productivity.
There’s also a whole host of software that is helping people to stay connected and carry out their roles remotely, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, time tracking apps and cloud infrastructure, as well as backbone technologies such as Network Security, VPN and Malware Protection.
Routine
When working from home, having a routine is crucial. Without a commute to break up the day, it’s easy for working hours to merge into family time or leisure time, so it can help to work the same hours you would keep if you were back in the office.
Of course, working from home does offer more flexibility in terms of the time of day you work, so if you find it easier to work in the evening when the kids are in bed, just make sure you’re working the same amount of hours you usually would. Read on for more working from home tips.
Comfort
You’re never going to get your work done if you’re uncomfortable. With this in mind, make sure that the work surface at which you’re working is suitable for your needs and that your chair is comfortable. Many people working long hours at a desk often need ergonomic furniture.
Have a to do list
To do lists are a great way to accomplish your goals for the day and motivate you to get your work done. Having a list will also allow you to keep track of what you have and haven’t done, as well as establishing priorities and deadlines.
Get ready to face the day
Finally, although it can be tempting to roll out of your bed and stay in your comfy PJs all day, it pays to get yourself ready for the day as you normally would. Preparing yourself for the day will put you in the right mindset for a day at work.
Here at Exclusive Networks, we are global specialists for cybersecurity and cloud solutions. We can help businesses with their remote working needs. Get in touch today to find out how our solutions might help your business and let us know if you have any tips for working from home effectively.