Working from home has surged in popularity over recent years. Many people had never considered the possibility of remote work until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic left them with no other choice. For many companies, the arrangement was so successful that they have shifted to a model where employees regularly have teleworking days. Some professionals even work from home 100% of the time. Regardless of how often you work from home, there are a few ways that you can set yourself up for greater success and productivity, and this article will show you how.
Create a designated work area
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If you’re not used to working from home, you may feel tempted to simply set up at your kitchen table or prop up your feet on the couch while you type away on your laptop. This may work for a short time, but it’s not the best permanent option. For starters, it’s hard to shift your brain into prime working mode when you’re occupying spaces you utilize when you’re not working. You normally sit at your kitchen table to eat meals and spend time with your family, and your brain isn’t used to thinking critically or solving complex problems in this space. In addition, if you have family at home during the times when you’re trying to work, they may distract you from what you’re doing, or they may feel like they always have to tiptoe around you when you’re busy working on projects. Whether it’s a desk in the corner of your bedroom or a room that you designated as your office, it’s important that you have an area set aside to use only while you’re working. Some people may even find that they need to hit the market for Berkeley real estate to search for a property with a designated work area.
Have a workday startup ritual
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If you go into the office to work, there are several triggers leading up to the time when you enter your office or cubicle that tell your brain it’s time to get to work. Whether it’s a walk down the block or a drive on the freeway, you have some sort of commute. Once you arrive, you may show your badge at the front door, or you may greet the receptionist as you enter. You may even grab a cup of coffee before you sit down for your first meeting or check your email.
With this in mind, how does your workday start at home? Do you simply put down the paper and decide it’s time to get started? Do you roll out of bed and fire up your laptop? Your brain has no time to shift from relaxation to work, and there are no external stimuli that prepare you for what’s ahead. There’s no doubt that not having a commute is a luxury—however, you still need to have some sort of ritual or routine that prepares you physically and mentally to start your work each day.
Get out of your pajamas
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Hardly anybody who works from home misses wearing a suit and tie every day. However, you don’t want to swing too far toward the other end of the spectrum. While working in your bathrobe or your PJs may be more comfortable, it doesn’t put you in the best frame of mind for work. You’ve trained your brain to think that wearing PJs means it’s time to relax or fall asleep. This doesn’t mean you have to go all the way back to a sport coat or slacks, but have a set of clothes for work that’s different from the clothes you slept in the night before.
Create clear boundaries
Modern technology already makes it difficult enough for us to know when to stop working. Since most people have smartphones, it’s easier than ever to check our email while at a ballgame or spend some time preparing for an upcoming presentation while waiting to check out at the grocery store. The struggle is even greater when your home is your office, and you can find pockets of time during the evenings or weekends to catch up on overdue work or get ahead on the project you’re excited about starting. Working from home provides you with greater flexibility to decide when you’ll start and stop working. While this has its benefits, you should also take care to make sure you’re not spending too much time at your desk during the evenings or weekends. When you’re not “on the clock,” don’t let yourself succumb to the temptation to work.
Work when you’re working
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Setting boundaries for times when you’re not working is important. What’s also important is remaining focused when you’re trying to get things done. Having a designated workspace— which this article already talked about—will help. Other things that’ll help are staying off social media and avoiding distractions like household chores. While you may not see the harm in taking a break from a project to unload the dishwasher or check the mail, it’s sometimes hard to regain the same level of focus after you get back to your desk.
Work somewhere else
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It’s possible that your Berkeley home isn’t your ideal office space. If you find it hard to get work done at home, perhaps you need to find another place to work. Some people love working from home, while others find it difficult or draining. Perhaps a better place for you to work is a coffee shop near your home or a local library. These places can help you transition from rest to work, and they provide you with a quiet and comfortable environment where you can unlock your creativity.
Perhaps you want a new home with an office space since there simply isn’t enough room for you in your current home to find a place to work. If you’re interested in shopping for Berkeley real estate, reach out to Jason Sirios. Jason has spent the past several years connecting many clients with their dream homes in the Denver area. He would love for you to be the next person he serves.
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