Restore Productivity with These Home Office Tips

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be quite tricky while juggling all the challenges that come with a remote office. While there are many benefits to working from home, various engagements and distractions will pull you in different directions. The blend of personal life and career is a delicate road to travel. Each day, the quality of your mental health and physical health are at stake.

Many employees did not properly prepare for the healthy workspace because they did not expect it to be a long-term adjustment. As a result, home-operating employees see a drop in productivity and overall job performance. So, what steps can you take to restore and surpass your previous level of productivity, all while sustaining your current lifestyle? Here are a few strategies you can start implementing today:

Designate Your Workspace

If you set up your desk and computer in the middle of chaos, you will undoubtedly struggle to find a clear focus for your workday. The space you choose for your home office needs to resemble your work office and offer a level of separation from your personal life. In the scenario that your office set up placed you in a cubicle, it may serve you best to set up a desk in the corner of a spare or multi-purpose room. Just remember to keep any display of family pictures and desk accessories consistent with your workplace set-up.

It is crucial that you understand the ergonomics of remote working within your home office and how abiding by these principles can positively impact your mental and physical health. From proper desk height, monitor height, and office lighting to a quality office chair and an internet connection, the experts at IDG Techtalk reveal all the guidelines and rules to follow when it comes to your home office set-up.

Establishing boundaries is critical in achieving a healthy balance. When you are at home during work hours, you must clarify to others and yourself that you are ‘at work’. Without proper boundaries, you may find yourself working irregular hours and giving leeway to cabin fever, which brings us to my next point:

Get Up & Get Active

Don’t fall into the habit of multitasking during work hours. If you feel overwhelmed or you’ve entered a negative headspace, make sure to give yourself a break. It’s not healthy for anyone to be cooped up in a house all day. 

Take advantage of the time you save not needing to drive to and from the office. Go for a jog or schedule a ‘coffee date’ with a friend. This allotted time is your chance to refresh your mind and body and find relaxation in a new form. During your brief recess or after work hours, make sure you step aside from your designated work area and keep all work accessories out of sight.

Eliminate Distractions & Facilitate Efficiency

Do you get easily distracted during your workday? Whether it is by your family members or roommates in your home or the neighbor’s dog, the noise around can have a tremendous impact on your work output. Some of the quickest and most effective solutions include purchasing noise-canceling headphones or playing white noise in the background. Suppose your distractions stem more from your phone applications or surfing the web for the latest news updates, sports updates, or shopping deals. In that case, you may benefit from setting certain internet restrictions for yourself and muting your phone notifications. The Internet has quite the knack of luring you in for numerous minutes at a time. Alternatively, for the more easily motivated and solution-oriented individuals, write out a ‘to-do’ list for your day and week and keep it in front of you as you progress through the day.

What sparks your headspace for creative thinking? Maybe it is a morning workout/stretches, a full meal, some good music, or simply writing down your goals each day. Regardless of what it may be, opening up these creative outlets is critical to facilitating productivity and elevating your overall wellbeing. 

Wrap Up

Working from a home office can often blur lines between our personal and professional lives. If you have noticed a blend between the two or a dip in job performance, these steps will begin to restore productivity as long as you have the intentionality and initiative to do so. While working from home has strong capabilities in improving upon an employee’s mental health, productivity, and work-life balance, those culminations can only occur when true effort transpires.

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Using Technology To Keep Your Remote Teams Engaged

With the increase in employees operating remotely across the country, there is a substantial need for new technologies and innovations to upkeep productivity. The rise of Zoom was just one example of a platform that presented a quick solution to many organizations’ biggest fears.

Thanks to these technologies, companies are beginning to open new positions that start on a remote basis (some even permanently). Just this past week, I spoke with a prospective client who was forced to transition all their Sales Representative positions from the traditional ‘in-person’ model to a phone and web-based model. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, there is still an opportunity for his company and sales team to expand courtesy of decreased travel expenses and increased time at hand. 

Are you struggling to maintain team chemistry and attract top candidates to your job listings? Our friends at Nexxt recently dived into a few of the top tech-based tools leading the way. We review contributor Julie Shenkman’s top examples below:

Talent Recruitment

Are you extending your best effort when it comes to collecting visibility amidst the remote workforce? In developing an effective talent recruitment strategy, Julie strongly advises using a reliable recruitment marketing resource for your posting and promoting. Top examples include LinkedIn/LinkedIn Recruiter, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, Hootsuite, Workforce, and more.

According to a recent U.S. technology research survey, the number of employees permanently working from home is set to double globally. Gone are the days of shying away from remote employees due to a fear of a lack of control. Julie believes using an online job site will help the right candidates discover your employer profile. “No matter their location, it lets them learn more about your company and its culture. That being said, it’s important to post as much valuable information about the open positions and your company within the job listing as possible, without it becoming information overloaded. You will want to make sure that the position clearly states it is open to remote employees applying.”

Employee Onboarding

Onboarding a new remote hire can be quite a challenge, but technological advances continue to ease the process. With an increased level of communication and resources, employees can stay much more connected throughout their transitions. Today, there are plenty of proven examples in various industries of how organizations are positively implementing new hires into their environment and culture from home. The Nexxt team details Oracle Human Capital Management as an excellent resource in providing agility, adaptability, and a ‘human touch’ through technology to businesses. The program is designed to make department training, performance management, and payroll more seamless.

Team Engagement

Was your company big on company-wide outings, team lunches, or happy hours to celebrate organizational ‘wins’ or to blow off some steam? It can be easy to feel disconnected when these luxuries fade away, but having a substitute is critical to maintaining team morale and cultivating passion. One solution Julie offers is implementing an online recognition software to strengthen workplace culture and values and enhance engagement. Everyone wants to be recognized, and through your intentionality, you can continue to celebrate strong performances, birthdays, and work anniversaries.

“Working remotely improves the health and wellness of employees by reducing stress—and limiting exposure to potentially sick coworkers.” -WeWork, 2020

Wrap Up

What technologies can best benefit your company and its unique needs? When you keep your remote employees top of mind and implement these strategies, you will better identify a model of success. “With a diverse set of remote employees actively searching for a job or already working from around the country, or even the globe, considering their unique needs is essential to the success of maintaining a well-engaged workforce.”

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Setting Up An Effective Remote Workspace

Are you one of the many individuals drastically impacted by COVID-19 and all its complications? According to SHRM’s COVID-19 Business Index, 64% of U.S. employees are currently working remotely. With the massive shift to the virtual working world, it’s not easy to maintain productivity and passion for your work. 

Are you struggling to maintain focus throughout your workdays? Although being forced to work from home was beyond your control, there are still elements you CAN control for a productive workday. 

Clear the Clutter

First and foremost, identify your needs. Sort through your essentials and remove the unnecessary items, papers, or trash. If possible, now is the time to move on from the kitchen table or living room coffee table. Do you have room for a desk area containing your computer, monitors, and notepads? If you are a part of the 41% of Americans wishing to return to the office, explore the option of recreating your workspace. Find a time to retrieve elements from your in-office setup, i.e., your monitor, decor, chair, or even desk.

Additionally, your organizational capabilities are not limited to your physical surroundings, but the data on your computer as well. Chances are, many of the folders and documents saved to your desktop can be removed. You can designate time to rid yourself of your ‘digital trash’ and create more space on your computer.

Create a Schedule and Stick to It

Identify your biggest hurdles and set a game plan to overcome them. When possible, maintain your regular business hours, set your alarm and get up early. This medium is your best shot at staying productive while maintaining a work-life balance. Working remotely is not an excuse for allowing your level of communication to dip. Clear, honest, and consistent communication within your team and company is critical to staying productive. For example, if your team held weekly meetings every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m., emphasize getting them back up and running.

For an example of what it looks like to map out an entire day in advance, check out this article from The Muse’s Susie Moore, who has over six years of work-from-home experience.

“Our estimate is that 25-30% of the workforce will be working-from-home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.” -Kate Lister, President of Global Workplace Analytics

Block out the Distractions

Establish boundaries sooner rather than later. While it is encouraged to create time for coffee or lunch hangouts, it needs to dissolve at just that. Make it clear to your friends and family that despite being at home, you are at work. However, don’t allow your workload to push you into the evening too often. After your shift, be sure to dedicate time to see them elsewhere. Skipping out too many times can result in feelings of career burnout and ‘bottled up’ thoughts. 

If you know yourself to be easily distracted by phone applications such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, or ESPN, shut off these notifications on your phone during the workday.

High-Speed Internet

Are you content with the speed and efficiency of your internet connection? Are you the only one using it during the workday? No matter what your role may be, a speedy and stable connection is critical to staying productive and efficient in your daily routine. If you are sharing usage with a roommate or your spouse/children and have experienced moments of lagging, it may be time for an upgrade. If you are required to work from home and feel your broadband connection is lackluster, reach out to your manager/boss to help accommodate. After all, your employer wants to set you up with the best chance to perform your best and remain efficient.

Self-Care

When taking care of your mind and body, it is crucial to dedicate time to physical and mental exercises. Step outside, stay limber and give your mind a break during the workday. For myself, this looks like dedicating a block of time to morning stretches and light, in-home workouts. Are you taking advantage of your employer’s resources to combat mental stress or fatigue? If you have not received any, reach out to a superior to make this happen.

Further, finding a new hobby or developing a new skill can help fill the gaps in your daily routine before COVID-19. Courtesy of the Miami Herald, here are some of the most popular across the country: Reading, online games, sewing, crocheting, puzzles, card games, instruments, DIY projects, and at-home workouts.

Another great way to give your mind a break is to make plans outside your home for lunch. Whether it is alone, with a loved one, or catching up with a friend, eating lunch away from the desk can renew your energy and creativity after the busy morning. If you are unable to find the time and location to meet up, utilize video chatting services such as Zoom, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger.

Wrap Up

Setting yourself up for success in your ‘home office’ begins with intentionality. Remove the non-essentials from your workspace and follow a consistent schedule. Establishing boundaries with your friends and family is vital, but setting blocks of time to ‘check-in’ is critical to your mental health. Courtesy of a recent global study by Qualtrics, over 40% of employees said their mental health has declined since the COVID-19 outbreak began. For more great tips and resources to alleviate stress/anxiety and improve your overall well-being, click here.

Remote Working Statistics

  • “56% of the U.S. workforce holds a job that is compatible (at least partially) with remote work.” (Global Workplace Analytics)
  • “Before the crisis, surveys repeatedly showed that 80% of employees want to work from home at least some of the time.” (Global Workplace Analytics)
  • “Work-at-home will save U.S. employers over $30 Billion a day in what would have otherwise been lost productivity during office closures due to COVID-19” (Global Workplace Analytics)
  • “88% of organizations have encouraged or required their employees to work from home”.” (Gartner, Coronavirus in Mind: Make Remote Work Successful)

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