Working from home has always been a topic of mine, but in the last year it has become an everyday matter. I left Ecomail and started to focus full-time on events at Meet&Deal, but that’s a different story. Home office has become a common part of the lives of many people, but the efficiency of working from home can be a challenge. How to maintain productivity when Netflix & chill is tempting you? I’m bringing you several tips on how to effectively plan and manage your work from home.
The sofa sounds fine, until you fall asleep
The key to success is to have a dedicated work space that will help you separate work from personal life. Ideally, this space should be quiet, well-lit, and equipped with everything you need for your work. Sure, working from the sofa or bed is tempting, but you won’t last long there. After a while, you’ll start procrastinating or falling asleep. Allocate your work desk, so you keep a clear boundary between work and rest.
Plan everything well
Set a clear daily plan and stick to it. I recommend dividing tasks into smaller parts and setting time blocks to focus on individual tasks. Use planning tools like calendars or task management apps to keep track of your responsibilities and deadlines. This way you can easily evaluate what you can accomplish in a day.
Measure the time spent on individual tasks. This will help you get an idea of the value of the work for you. I recommend this even if you don’t work by the clock. Knowing how much time certain activities take will make your work planning easier.
Stay in touch with your colleagues
When working remotely, communication is key. Meet with your team regularly to stay in the loop. Various technologies can greatly facilitate this, as there are many tools that will keep you in touch with your colleagues and efficiently manage projects. My team and I use Slack and Freelo, but those are probably classics. Other tips I’ve heard and you can try are Teams, Asana, Trello, Notion or Basecamp. Not everyone can meet with the rest of the team regularly. For that, we use Google Meets or regular phone calls.
Don’t forget to try Zaptime
If you’re looking for a way to further streamline your work, I recommend trying Zaptime.
This website will help you plan meetings or online calls as needed. I have it integrated into my website to help me with the consultations I offer. The person can then select a time slot on my website when I’m available and schedule a joint call in an instant. It’s simple and doesn’t require countless emails to find the right time for both parties.
Establish a fixed routine
Maintaining a regular routine when working from home is key to productivity and work-life balance. If possible, set a fixed start and end time for your workday to prevent work from extending into the evening hours. Start your day with your typical morning routine, get dressed as if you’re going to the office, and stick to the designated end of the workday. Don’t forget to take regular breaks, which help maintain focus and energy.
Working from home can be just as productive as working in the office if you create the right conditions and habits. The key is good planning, use of technology, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. With these tips and tools like Zaptime, you can achieve high efficiency from the comfort of your home.
