This is a contributed post.
4 REASONS YOU COULD BE LESS PRODUCTIVE WORKING FROM HOME
Working from home is a blessing. Or at least, it was. If your employer equipped you to do your job from home at the start of lockdown, you thought that it would be a dream come true. No more commuting in the dismal rain. You won’t be getting distracted by the petty gossip and politics that dominate the workplace. No more creepy boss standing over you checking up on your progress like some kind of pin-striped ninja.
But while you hit the ground running when you first came home, you can’t help feeling that you’ve gotten stuck in a rut. While there’s ample evidence to suggest that you could be more productive when working from home, that doesn’t seem to be your reality at the moment. The good news, however, is that you can restore productivity, harmony and happiness to your days while working from home. You just need to identify the reasons that are holding you back.
You’re Working Hard Not Smart
You throw yourself headlong into your work with gusto and determination. But while you may be working hard, you’re not necessarily working smart. Do you take tasks on as and when you receive them? Or do you take a look at your workload and identify opportunities for shortcuts and hacks that will make your life easier? Before you start your day, you should identify at least 3 ways in which you could bundle tasks together or time them more effectively to make them easier.
You’re Getting Headaches from Eyestrain
Most office spaces are designed to make the most of the natural light that comes into the building. And while you may have access to a window at home, you may not be getting quite as much natural light in your home. And reliance on artificial light plus computer screens plus peering at the little details like text and numbers on a screen can be a recipe for eyestrain. Especially if your glasses currently have a 10 year old prescription. Now might be the best time to shop online and treat yourself to a new pair of designer frames. Eyestrain can lead to headaches which can lead to lapses in concentration, irritability and working days which are overall much less pleasant than they could and should be. And if you still have understimulated kids running round, it can be a recipe for gritted teeth and harsh words.
You’re Not Planning Your Day Effectively
As zealous as you may be to get stuck into your working day in the morning, wading in blindly could lead to a loss of productivity. And more frustrating working days. Instead, take a few minutes at the end of every day to plan your next. Assign certain tasks to certain times. Ensure that you’ll make time for meaningful breaks to give your brain a rest. And make sure that you have a cut-off time by which you’ll finish work come what may.
Endless working days do not make for happy or productive working Moms!
You’re Not Taking Steps to Block Out Distractions
Finally, the home is full of distractions with which we don’t usually have to contend in the office. Everything from the laundry to your social media feed can derail your productivity. So make sure that you have a space that’s just for working. None of us does our best work on the living room sofa or in bed. Keep your phone in a drawer in your desk and use it only during breaks. You may even want to set up some software on your computer that blocks out distracting websites like social platforms and online stores.
Conquest these 4 threats to your productivity and your days will be happier and more rewarding!
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