The COVID-19 pandemic has millions of Americans tackling a new challenge: working from home. Some are loving the lack of commute and the comfort of staying home, but others are scrambling to adjust to the lack of structure. Here are a few of our favorite tips to help you maximize your productivity from home and even enjoy the change of pace.
Work and Break on a Schedule
It’s hard to discipline yourself at home, but now’s the best time to get in the habit of keeping yourself on a schedule. Try to start work at the same time every day, take breaks on a schedule, and finish up at the same time every night. Working on a schedule will relieve some of your stress, and taking scheduled breaks will reduce work fatigue.
Get Out of the House
Try to get out and take a walk (or a drive) at least once a day. Even if you can’t go anywhere, just getting out of your house will help your mood and wake you up when you’re getting drowsy. If you have kids or a dog, take them with you!
Use A VPN
It’s common knowledge that public wifi in coffee shops, laundromats, and restaurants isn’t safe, and a VPN is the best way to keep your information protected. Some companies might require you to use a VPN to access work servers, but either way, it’s a good idea to have a VPN connected at home to protect your work information.
Take Sick Days
Taking sick days might be easier said than done, but it’s essential to prevent burnout and work fatigue. If you aren’t feeling well or just really need a day to yourself, take a sick day to recuperate so you can go back to working with a fresh mind.
Overcommunicate with Colleagues
Everyone is struggling to adjust to working at home, and it might be harder to understand what your colleagues are doing or what they need from you. Be sure to tell your boss and colleagues everything you’re doing and work extra hard to keep them in the loop. Overcommunication is better than undercommunicating and confusing your colleagues.
Establish A Morning Routine
The hardest part of working at home might be getting started in the morning. Nobody wants to start working when they’re still drowsy, and without the commute to wake you up, how are you supposed to get in gear? Keep yourself on a strict morning routine so your body knows when to wake up and be alert. Simply waking up and brushing your teeth at the same time every day gets your body used to a routine, and you’ll be awake and ready to work when you need to.
Take Advantage of Your Time at Home
Remember to have fun! Do something you like at least once a week, spend more time with your family, and work on a personalized schedule. Why not? You work from home now, so take advantage of it!
Stay Positive
We don’t know how long this quarantine will last, but it’s important to keep your head up. If you start getting pessimistic, your family and coworkers will notice. Take care of yourself and try to stay in a good headspace.
Keep A Dedicated Workspace
It might be tempting to work from your bed everyday, but you should choose a dedicated office space to work from every day. This will reduce the risk of children or pets ruining sensitive documents, and it’ll make it easier for your family to know when you’re working.
Get Remote Tech Support When you Need it
If computer problems are keeping you from working effectively, don’t be afraid to reach out for tech support. At Computer CPR, our team is equipped to provide remote tech support and help you with nearly any computer issue. Call or visit our website to see how we can help you get your computer working again!