Be Productive While Working from Home

How To Use Technology Effectively and Be Productive While Working from Home

As many people continue to work from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to remain productive. Endless Zoom calls, caring for children at home, and wrestling with new technologies and separation can create stress and slow down work output.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take and the technologies you can use to remain productive.

What Can I Do To Improve My Remote Workspace?

Instead of a desk, a comfortable office chair, and a large work area, you may find yourself with a laptop perched on a kitchen table or kitchen counter. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your workspace at home:

• Find the Right Spot. Working on your couch or bed is not conducive to productivity. Find a place with plenty of light (preferably natural), a chair with back support and away, as much as possible, from other distractions.
• Set Boundaries. Tell those you share a home with when you need to be working and if there are meetings where it’s necessary to be quiet. Consider using a sign near your workspace that indicates when you cannot be disturbed.
• Inspire Your Work. Your at-work desk may have favorite family pictures, children’s drawings, knick-knacks, your favorite coffee mug, a plant, or an inspirational saying. Many of these may, unfortunately, still be at the office. At best, you can recreate those little things that can make a big difference in getting through the day.

How Can I Structure My Day to Be Productive Working From Home?

Being productive means being in the right frame of mind and having a routine whenever possible. Doing so is not always easy during these uncertain times, but consider doing the following:

• Work Reasonable Hours. Your day is likely full of more disruptions and distractions than in the office. If you have the flexibility to do so, schedule your work for hours least likely to be interrupted for help with homework, mealtimes, or other household duties.
• Dress for Success. The internet is full of memes of people working in pajamas or sweatpants. While you may be more comfortable, working in a concert t-shirt and shorts is not always conducive to productive work. Put on a blouse or dress shirt, pants or sundress, and a favorite tie or jewelry to make it feel more like work.
• Take a Break. It’s easy to stay glued to the laptop all day when you’re working from home. Be sure to ease the strain of staring at a screen. You may also want to take a day off to turn off the work email and stay away from the virtual office.

How Can Technology Keep Me Productive?

As work has shifted, it can be more challenging to connect with coworkers. Applications like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams allow for file management, texting, video calls, and collaboration tools. Here are some other tech-centric tips:

• Eliminate the Distractions. Are you spending too much work time on Facebook? Use an app on your favorite browser to limit or block access to your favorite productivity-zappers.
• Have an App Schedule Time for You. Several apps can automate appointment scheduling. Block out when you can meet and the length of the meeting times and let the app do the rest.
• Hack Your Second Screen. Is staring at a laptop screen putting a strain on your eyes and back? Consider repurposing a desktop monitor or your TV to give yourself a larger workspace. An HDMI cable is all you’ need to turn a television into a second screen.

Boston Help Desk provides managed desktop services, cybersecurity, and strategic IT consulting. To learn more about how we can help your employees stay productive, contact us today.