4 Key Tips for Working From Home Effectively
According to Gallup, around 76% of workers will return to the office either full or part-time in 2022. Would you prefer to be among the 24% who continue working remotely?
Whichever business you work for, your performance is bound to dictate whether you stay at home or go back to work. You might think you’re doing fine, but does your manager agree?
Check out these tips for working from home effectively, so you can make sure you stay put.
1. Home Office Design Tips
If you’re serious about working from home, step one is getting your office out of the living room. Find a spare space in the house that you can call your own.
A spare bedroom is ideal, but a closet or a quiet corner make good home office ideas, too. As long as it’s a place free from distractions and designated as a work-only zone.
Make sure you keep all your work-related items together to maximize efficiency and stick to a strict roster of work hours.
2. Maximize Your Meeting Game
Online meetings became the norm at the height of remote work, but they’re rarely a flattering look for anyone. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to make a great on-screen impression.
Effective lighting, like that used in studios, can help you improve your Zoom game. So invest in the best ring lights you can afford, to help eliminate shadows, separate you from the background, and make sure you look your best for that important meeting.
Not even the best lighting will reveal that you’re wearing comfy track paints and bunny slippers under the desk, though.
3. Take Breaks
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re immersed in tasks, but you’re bound to burn yourself out if you never look up from your screen. Set a timer to remind you that you should look up and get up at least once an hour.
Don’t short-change yourself, either. Make sure you get away from your desk for at least five minutes at a time. Breaks will keep you fresh and working at your best, especially if you incorporate some outdoor time into them.
4. Speak Up
Always ask for clarity on any issues you don’t understand. Don’t play the superhero, working from home didn’t transform you into an all-knowing being.
Clear communication is essential, no matter where you work, so don’t think your manager will insist you return to office duty if you don’t understand every instruction.
Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone, it’s difficult to convey meaning and tone clearly via email.
Get More Tips for Working From Home Effectively
If you follow these tips for working from home effectively and managed to keep up your performance, you could enjoy the many benefits of working from home indefinitely.
Master them, and you could also look at applying for various other types of remote jobs if a return to the office becomes imminent.
Whether you get to work from home or not, we can help you thrive in your professional life. Browse our blog for more information you can use both at home and in the office.
