The coronavirus pandemic has caused a fundamental change to how many people work, as the virus has forced them to work at home in unprecedented numbers. For those unfamiliar with working at home, it can be challenging to maintain the same level of productivity and happiness as before.
This article will provide you with some valuable tips on how to make working from home better.
1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
We tend to take computer security for granted when we are at work, as most companies employ trained professionals dedicated to providing this. But when you work at home security should be on the top of your list.
One of the best ways to create a more secure working environment in your home, is to use a VPN. While you may think of a VPN as something that you only need when you are using public Wi-Fi networks, this is not true. Even when you are connected to your home network, websites can glean valuable personal information about you, such as your location. Your Internet service provider (ISP) can also track your activities and sell this information.
To prevent this, make sure that all your devices (including your mobile ones) use a VPN.
2. Behave as If You Were at Work
While working at home, you may find it tempting to behave like you do when you spend your leisure time, such as not getting dressed or groomed and not following normal workday routines. But you should avoid this temptation.
Experts say that you should dress for work at home in the same way that you dress for work at the office, as it puts you in the correct frame of mind for working, which will, in turn, make you more productive. You should also get up and prepare yourself for work in the same manner that you usually do, such as by listening to music or by reading the news, and you should follow the same working hours that you follow at the office.
In essence, you should make working from home seem as normal as possible.
3. Set Aside a Workspace in Your Home
Another way to develop a good working environment in your home is to create a workspace in it that is separate from your living space. If possible, designate an entire room as your new office, or otherwise create a nook for this purpose that is free of clutter and simple in design. Also, make this workspace similar to your office one, with a chair that you can comfortably sit in all day and plenty of natural lighting.
4. Communicate with Your Colleagues
Just because you are away from your coworkers does not mean that you cannot interact with them. You can do this in a variety of ways, such as over the phone and email, and through technologies like Slack and Zoom.
Also, keep in mind that your interaction with colleagues does not need to be limited to business communication. You can interact with them socially, too, just as you do at the office. This will further develop your sense of normalcy and will help alleviate feelings of loneliness that you may experience from being away from the office.
5. Add Some Office Ambiance to Your Home
While you cannot bring your entire office into your home, you can add some office ambiance into it by using a new interactive website called imisstheoffice.eu. This site allows you to hear customized office sounds such as:
- human voices, whispers and laughter
- phones
- chairs
- printers
- footsteps
- eating
Like with getting dressed for work, these sounds can put you in the proper state of mind to perform your job.
Summary
Working at home can be a disruptive and disconcerting experience for those who are not accustomed to working like this. But, by utilizing the tips contained in this article, you can make working at home as natural and as productive as working in the office.
Original Post By Gal Greene
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Unsplash.
