Up and down the UK, almost everyone who can work from home has now been doing so for many weeks. Teams of professionals and even entire companies have now successfully adjusted to the “new normal”; but with several more months of lockdown disruption expected, are attitudes towards working from home likely to change in the long run?
According to recent studies, the number of people working remotely has already increased by 115% in the last decade – not accounting for the results of the UK lockdown. But with productivity a concern for many as we work from home, we have pulled together 10 steps to maximise your productivity while working away from the office.
1. Start with a daily to-do list.
Many people are most productive in the mornings, so to make sure you’ve got a clear sense of the day ahead, write down a thorough to do list. This could include things like meetings and tasks, in order of urgency, so you work through the most time-sensitive jobs first; anything you don’t complete can go on the to-do list for the following day.
2. Ensure shared access to digital files.
With employees working from home company-wide, paper files can no longer be easily shared without access to a printer or scanner. Ensuring digital files are both secure and readily available is crucial for work to carry on as usual, and between Google Drive, SharePoint and setting up a company server with a VPN, there are plenty of options to choose from.
3. Take regular breaks
Those working from home are getting more screentime than ever, as even meetings are now held online. This means it’s especially important to take regular breaks from your computer; even stepping away for 5 minutes to make a coffee or head out for a short walk can work wonders for your productivity and concentration.
4. Eat healthy snacks
Snacking is an inevitable habit when you’re working from home, but eating healthy snacks specifically can be hugely beneficial. Findings from the World Health Organisation stated that ‘superfoods’ like berries, green tea, nuts and dark chocolate can boost brainpower, motivation and overall productivity by up to 20%, so make sure you’ve got some of these treats on hand for an extra long day.
5. Make a dedicated workspace
Ensuring you have a comfortable workspace with minimal distractions is a really effective way of upping your productivity. Working at a desk or table is ideal, as you’ll have space for both your laptop or PC and any other notes or equipment you might need. No desk or study? Check out our guide on creating a home office in any room.
6. Work in a well-lit area
If you can, working in a space with plenty of natural light will help you in terms of both mood and productivity. Harsh artificial light could lead to headaches, so as well as setting up your workspace by a window if possible, it’s worth taking occasional breaks from your phone or laptop screen.
7. Freshen up your home office
Once you’ve setup your home office and made sure it’s somewhere as light as possible, it’s important to keep it tidy and fresh. Sitting in the same space everyday can feel a little claustrophobic, so why not change it up with photos? Cleaning the area regularly should make being there more enjoyable, and you could even light a candle or burn some essential oils to help you unwind as you work.
8. Choose the right music
Lots of people enjoy the sound of office chatter or similar background noise, and when you’re working from home, music can boost concentration considerably. A recent Workthere study found that almost 66% of UK workers think listening to music on the job is a must, and a further 25% said that they listened to music specifically to increase productivity. From local or national radio to the perfect Spotify playlist, there are plenty of options to choose from.
9. Stay in touch with colleagues
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have enduring effects on the way we work, both collaboratively and individually, so staying connected to your colleagues is more important than ever. Thankfully there’s a plethora of user-friendly tech at your fingertips for videocalls and meetings, like Skype for Business, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and more.
10. Add plants for productivity
Bringing a splash of greenery into your home office is a luxury, but if you have access to plants or flowers, adding them to your workspace can have a number of benefits. As well as lifting your mood and giving you a glimpse of the outside, they also improve your air quality, and have other positive impacts on your wellbeing and productivity.
We hope these tips will help you make the most of your time working remotely, whether it’s a temporary measure or a permanent adjustment for you and your business.
