Working from home, some do it whistling, jumping from one task to the next and being very productive, while others get distracted by the slightest thing, freak out and get nothing done. Whatever your situation, a few tips to make your working day (even) more productive are always welcome. We give you four motivating tips!
Make a to-do list
Cliché perhaps, but a lot of people forget to make a to-do-list. A shame, because being able to tick off tasks is very motivating. Not only does it get you motivated, but it also creates order out of chaos, which also makes you more productive. When making the list, it’s important to distinguish high-priority and low-priority things. The same goes for small and large tasks. When you can tick off the small tasks, it gives an extra boost to your motivation and thus your productivity. So, if your productivity is down for a while, start working on the smaller tasks.
Create triggers for your brain
If you work at the office, the journey there already creates a certain trigger for your brain. Your brain gets ready for the day. When working at home, you don't make this journey. It’s therefore smart to create a certain start-up routine at home. For instance, before you start work, go read a newspaper or take a walk.
It’s also very important to create a real workplace. Some people can work anywhere, but if your productivity at home could use a boost then it’s advisable to set up a workspace so that you have fewer distractions and more structure.
Very important: do not mix too many work-related and non-work related tasks. The variety causes your brain to have to be reset each time, which has a negative effect on your productivity.
Create a way to collaborate
Collaboration is perhaps the biggest challenge of working from home. There are many things you can do independently, but there are also work challenges that require interaction with others, such as discussing briefings, making important decisions, and getting and giving feedback. Of course, consultation is possible via e-mail, but it quickly fills up. Asking a question is quicker via apps like Teams, Skype, Whatsapp, Slack and Google Hangouts.
Sometimes it’s nice to be able to see each other, for example when brainstorming or discussing weekly projects. It’s also motivating to hear what others are working on. Video calls are suitable for such situations. There are various applications for this as well, such as Teams, Zoom, Skype and Facetime.
Record everything in a weekly schedule
Working from home comes with a lot of responsibilities. At the office, your colleagues keep you motivated but at home you have to keep yourself motivated. That doesn't mean you have to be working all the time. It’s also important to take breaks.
To keep work and home separate, and stay productive in a healthy way, it’s a important to make a weekly schedule. Do so very comprehensively and plan things like cleaning, shopping, cooking and exercising. This will ensure that you will do as little as possible during working hours.
Hopefully, our tips will help you. We can propose many different hybrid roles combining homeworking and work at the office. So don’t hesitate to contact our team of recruitment experts.
