Work from Home
Fashion management consultant, Fabian Hirose, is no stranger to remote working, a work style that he’s perfected long before the COVID-19 crisis forced us all to do so. It’s a choice that an increasing amount of employers and employees alike are choosing as more research proves it’s all round benefits.
Don’t get us wrong, getting the balance right can be challenging at first, but once productive habits are formed, working from home can lead to an increase in productivity and work output!
Fabian Hirose shares 5 tips from Carolyn O’Hara, published by the Harvard Business Review, for increasing productivity while working from home.
Fabian Hirose
Maintain a regular schedule
“Without supervision, even the most conscientious of us can slack off ,” says Ned Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction at Work. What does that actually mean? You have to get used to supervising yourself by making a work schedule and sticking to it! You’re at home and may not be used to working in a space that you’re accustomed to being your environment for relaxation and downtime- that’s understandable! This potential for distraction means you have to learn to separate work time and personal time. Start the day off as you would a normal work day and once you sit down to work, avoid personal distractions.
Photo Source: HubSpot Blog
Set clear boundaries
Working at home can mean that the boundaries between work life and personal life can become blurred. This can, unfortunately, lead to an unfulfilling feeling on both sides- not feeling like you’re being as productive at work and not feeling like you’re enjoying your downtime to it’s fullest. This hurdle can be easily overcome by setting up a separate “work space” at home and setting boundaries for any loved ones and friends during your set work hours.
Photo Source: InHerSight
Take regular breaks
Photo Source: Wired
This is a tricky one. Taking too many breaks could lead to distractions while taking too few could lead to burnout. Here’s a tip- map out your key tasks for the day and once each is completed, enjoy a 20 minute break! This can be anything from taking a walk outside to watching an episode of your favourite. Whatever your choice of break, remember that your brain is a muscle that needs rest to perform at optimal levels!
Stay connected
According to this research, prolonged isolation can actually have inverse effects to productivity levels so do your part to stay virtually connected! Check in as often as you can with peers and colleagues, sharing your to-do’s and accomplishments for the day so your remaining in touch and keeping everyone in the loop of your work output. “Tell people what you’re doing,” says Steven Kramer, a psychologist and author of The Progress Principle, “it’s critically important not just for your career, but for your psychological well-being.”
Photo Source: Toggl
Celebrate your wins
Let’s be honest, no matter how realistic your outlined tasks for the day are, you still might not finish them all and fixating on what you didn’t complete rather than what you have is the easiest way to de-motivate yourself, so stop that! Don’t slack on giving yourself a pat on the back for all you’ve achieved.
Photo Source: Pinterest
Bonus Recommendations
Want to go that extra step further? Try these resource recommendations from Fabian Hirose and thank him later!
