Tag: productive

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How To Master Working From Home

Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of Americans have made  the transition to working from home and are still doing so today. Some people have found excitement in their new home offices, while others have struggled to stay focused. 

No matter how working from home has been going for you, there are numerous helpful tips, tricks and resources that can help you get into a better swing of things.

Set Yourself Up For At Home Success

Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, where to work and how to create realistic boundaries between work and personal life. Understandably, finding the right balance can take time and effort, but with the right tools you’ll enjoy working from home in no time. 

  1. Maintain Regular Hours

First and foremost, create a schedule that works for you and whomever you share your workspace with. By setting specific hours for work, you are more likely to stay productive and on task. One of the best parts of working from home is the flexibility, and sometimes you need to extend your day or start a bit earlier to accommodate your workload. 

Jill Duffy at PCMag suggests using “automatic time-tracking apps, such as RescueTime, [which] let you check in on whether you’re sticking to your schedule. They can also help you figure out what times of day you’re most productive versus when you slack off. You can use that information to your advantage by reserving your hours of high focus for your most important tasks.”

  1.  Create A Morning Routine

What task in your morning routine indicates you’re about to start work? It could be taking the time to savor a cup of coffee before looking at your to-do list or getting dressed (pajama pants to work is a perk for some but a bad strategy for others). A consistent routine will help you start your workday in the most productive mindset possible. 

  1. Set Ground Rules

Do you have kids at home or share your office with your partner? If someone is going to be in your workspace on a daily basis, it’s important to set boundaries with that person. Share your schedule with them so they know when you’ll be on important calls or video conferences. 

  1. Socialize With Colleagues

There’s no better way to feel connected than getting to know your coworkers. Be it a Facebook group page or a messaging system like Microsoft Teams or Slack, it’s important to make the effort to engage with your colleagues.

No matter how long you’ll be working from home, you’ve probably figured out by now that remote work is a completely different beast from what most of us are used to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or burned out trying to find your groove, just remember your experience is completely normal. 

For more recommendations on working from home, check out these additional articles on our blog today!

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How To Increase Productivity At Work, No Matter Where You Work

Whether you’re preparing to enter a busy quarter, catching up on work or just trying to make the most of your day, there are always steps you can take to become more productive. Productivity at work may seem like an overwhelming topic, especially when everyone is inspired and motivated differently. So what are the easiest ways to stay on task through a long work day?

The methods to  increase productivity at work are not one-size-fits-all. There are numerous factors including the type of person you are, where you work and what your limitations are. For example, the suggestion to brighten your work space might not come so easily for those working from a cubicle in a corporate office. Read on to find a strategy or two that you can incorporate into your work day.

Tips For Staying Productive While Working In An Office

  1. Plan ahead. Get to your desk 15 minutes early and write out a list of tasks to get your work day started. Highlighting your top three tasks can also help you stay on track to accomplish your daily goals.
  2. Time chunk desirable tasks to help space out your day. Lori Lynn Smith, a Lifehack author, says that by shifting your focus between tedious and repetitive tasks and those that are more engaging, you can keep yourself happily involved in your work throughout the day. Give each task category a time frame and alternate back and forth between them for better productivity at work.
  3. Listen to music. Did you know that music can help you settle into your work routine? Low-volume music or a trusty set of earbuds can drown out noises in the office without interrupting your coworkers. Choose music that helps you focus without distracting you. It has been shown that while listening to classical music your IQ actually increases—you might want to give it a try!

Tips For Staying Productive While Working From Home

  1. Plan phone calls and meeting thoughtfully. Unless you live completely alone, you don’t want to have loud children or a barking dog in the background of your conference call. Not only is it unprofessional, but you might miss something important while trying to silence those around you. Plan your calls according to the daily hustle and bustle of your home.  
  2. Have a designated office space, even if you don’t have a private room for it. Having an office space can increase your productivity at work. Productivity Writer and Author Kayla Matthewssays that this will help put you in “work” mode, as well as prevent you from seeing things that might distract you, like that pile of dirty dishes you ignored last night or a hamper full of clean clothes waiting to be folded. Giving yourself a designated space often means a higher rate of productivity at work.

Whether you work from home or in an office, increasing productivity at work doesn’t have to be a challenge. 

For more recommendations on increasing productivity at work, read additional articles on our blog today! Or, if you’re looking for a new position, see our current job listings!