Thanks to COVID, we are getting used to doing school and working from home. We love not having to wake up too early, not having to commute to school or to the office and being able to stay in our pyjamas all day, right? But there are a lot of things and people that can distract us, and before we know it, the hours can slip away quickly and we realize we haven't done much or made the best use of our time.
In this post, I am sharing with you a few tips for having a productive day at home.
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Have a designated space to work or study
Keep your work space and relaxing space separate so that the two thoughts don't mix and be sure that you like your work space. Set it up in away that provides comfort because you will be sitting there for 8 hours or more so add a cushion or something to support your back. Remember, it's important to have good posture. If the space is visually appealing, you will enjoy coming to work there so add cute little ornaments, photos of your family. friends and pets or postcards. Keep these to a minimum though, because too many nick nacks could distract you too.
Avoid interruptions
This can be hard when you have other family members also studying and working at home. You could tell them that you would appreciate if they didn't walk in on you during the work hours and that you can talk during breaks or after work. Notify them of any meetings you have, whether they are over the phone or a video call.
Make sure you have everything you need before you sit down so that you don't have to get up too many times to get things. Put your to-do list, planner, water, stationery, phone and anything else you will need to use on your desk or in a drawer.
Stay off your phone
This is a big one and easier said than done. Obviously if you use your mobile phone for business calls as well as personal calls, you need to have that within reach but if you can, turn it off or put it on silent and turn it upside down because it can easily distract you from work. Glancing at your phone to check the time or read a message can lead to scrolling through social media for a long time.
Write a to-do list
The best way to tackle the day is to have a plan. Writing down a to-do list on a notepad or in a planner helps you clearly see what you have to do and prioritize tasks. You can do this first thing in the morning or the night before. If you write down an outline of tasks before you end your work day, you will know what is happening as soon as you walk into work the next day and you can start straight away.
Use time blocking
Take one task and set a deadline to complete it in a certain amount of time. Be realistic with your deadlines and time blocks. Set yourself an amount time that you can easily manage. Some people can be more productive and focused for 20 minutes than hours. For a time block example, Focus on one task for 20 minutes, take a small break and then move on to the next task for another 20 minutes. Use a stopwatch or timer on your phone to time yourself.
Get dressed
Working from home gives you the freedom to wear whatever you want. You could stay in your pyjamas all day if you want to but this might make you feel tired and lazy so changing out of your sleepwear will help shift your mindset from tired to working girl or guy. You don't have to dress up formally like you would for work in an office but wear something that makes you look good and presentable for video calls with your boss and co-workers and just generally makes you feel good and comfortable. Wear a blouse with jeans, a dress or even a nice casual top with trackpants. Simply wearing accessories with your lounge wear is a good idea, so put on a necklace, ring or earrings. If you normally wear make-up for work, put some on if you feel like it.
Hydrate and eat well
Of course, you need to eat well and be hydrated to function and work. Keep a bottle of water and some snacks near year work space to keep your energy levels up and eliminate brain fog. I think having a stash of healthy snacks like granola/muesli bars, crackers or train mix is a good idea. This will save you from taking frequent trips to the kitchen.
When you have your snack and lunch breaks, don't rush. Savor and enjoy your coffee, tea, and food.
Open windows
Natural light can elevate your mood and increase your Vitamin D levels. It also helps your eye health and air quality so open your windows for about 30 minutes each day.
Go outside
In keeping with the theme of natural light, get outside! Lockdown does not mean we have to stay inside all day, everyday. We all need fresh air and exercise so go for a walk around your neighborhood or to your local park. Listen to the bird noises, look at houses, beautiful flowers in gardens, cars, watch the cute dogs and breathe. Enjoy being out and away from your desk.
I'm sure some people will benefit from these tips. Enjoy reading!
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