6 Expert Tips for Working From Home

According to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics, 32% of people in the UK are currently working from home, with this trend set to continue throughout 2021 and beyond.

Once a pipeline dream for many, the harsh reality of trying to balance family life with remote working has been a wake-up call for office workers up and down the country.

Fortunately, if you are feeling the strain of working from home, whether you are attempting to home school simultaneously or not, there are steps that you can take to make your working day just that little bit more manageable.

From eliminating unnecessary distractions to maintaining a regular schedule to limiting zoom meetings, keep reading to discover the top six expert tips for working from home.

Your sanity will thank you for it!

1. Set a schedule ... and stick to it!

Working in an office tends to involve working a set number of hours every day, even if that isn’t the traditional 9-5. Therefore, if you want to be able to maintain the same level of professionalism and achieve the same amount of work, it makes sense that you will need to stick to the same number of hours when at home.

Of course, if you have family commitments such as home schooling, this can be easier said than done, but even if you have to adjust the hours you work somewhat, the key to success lies in setting a working schedule and actually sticking to it.

Top tips for sticking to a schedule include:

Getting up at the same time every day
Using a time-tracking app
Determining the times of the day when you are most productive
Having a set time for breaks and lunch

2. Eliminate distractions

The main problem with working from home for many is the pure number of distractions that you are faced with on a daily basis, such as the mounting washing pile, the latest Netflix series, and the overwhelming urge to pack it all in and go for a nap on the couch. Fortunately, virtual office services can help you separate home life from work responsibilities, allowing you to maintain focus and professionalism.

Avoiding distractions such as the above comes down to willpower and the ability to prioritise your work over other less pressing tasks. Remind yourself that you are being paid to do a job and focus on your daily to-do list.

Other distractions, i.e. external ones that you have limited control over, are harder to manage. For example, how many times does your doorbell ring in a day? Arguably more often than usual due to the increase in Amazon orders and food deliveries that consumers in the UK are currently receiving to avoid unnecessary trips out.

Fortunately, if you are being driven to distraction by your postman or delivery courier, there is a simple solution. Invest in a smart parcel box, such as the super stylish offerings from iLoveParcels.

Designed to make parcel deliveries simple, a smart parcel box is installed on the exterior of your home and offers a secure way for you to have your parcels delivered, completely distraction-free. Plus, you can access and control your box via your smartphone for added convenience.

3. Layout ground rules

Once you start working from home, you may find that other members of your household assume (wrongly) that you will take on more duties around the home. This may be additional housework, more childcare duties, or simply cooking the evening meal.

While you may be happy to take on a few extra tasks, you need to make sure that you set clear ground rules regarding what you are and what you are not willing to do whilst working from home. This will avoid any resentment building up over time and will also ensure that you are able to carry out your work to the same professional standard as when you worked in the office.

4. Don’t be tempted to work without breaks

If you don’t have set working hours whilst you are remote working, you many be tempted to power through your breaks in a bid to finish your working day sooner. This, however, is not good for your physical or mental wellbeing.

There is a reason why breaks are a legal requirement and this is because they are vital for your overall health. Not only will skipping breaks leave you feeling overworked and overstressed, but it can also lead to burn out and result in you taking your frustrations out on your family.

Top tips for ensuring you take regular breaks include:

Setting a timer on your screen as a reminder
Locking yourself out of your computer for a set amount of time
Arranging a walk with a friend (restrictions permitting)

5. Limit Zoom meetings

At the start of lockdown, remote workers embraced Zoom meetings and revelled in the opportunity to have a nose at their colleagues’ houses. However, fast forward ten months, and virtual meeting fatigue has definitely started to set in.

A combination of having to change out of your comfy clothes and into something resembling professional attire and the fact that most meetings stretch on far too long and aren’t really necessary has resulted in remote workers dreading these daily encounters.

Although you may feel worried about limiting the number of virtual meetings you attend, don’t be afraid to talk to your employer about the challenges of working from home (they will understand) and how you think your time could be more productively spent carrying out other tasks.

If you do have to attend Zoom meetings or conference calls, try and agree a time limit before each call so that you can plan the rest of your day accordingly.

6. Stay positive

Again, this may be a step that is easier said than done; however, it is crucial for your mental health that you try and remain positive while you work from home. Yes, it can be isolating, primarily if you are used to working around a lot of people, but you must try to stay as upbeat as possible.

Not only will negative thoughts impact your work, but they will also affect your family. Don’t worry, if you are currently struggling to stay positive whilst trying to juggle work and home commitments, you are most definitely not alone.

Actions that promote positivity include: