How to Maximize your Time Working From Home
For those of us who have had the privilege of working from home, we know that it can be both a blessing and a challenge. Some people might actually feel more productive outside of the office due to the quiet and the comfort being in a familiar environment. On the other hand, productivity can be compromised at home on account of different distractions that simply aren’t there in an office setting.
In such cases, you can maintain productivity by following a few simple guidelines to keep you on track. Here are some tips to help you maximize your remote work productivity:
Be Mindful of Your Time
We are creatures of habit. You might not notice it, but at the office you often get your time clues based off of the behavior of others and the overall workflow of the office. For instance, Bob always takes his break at 10:15, and at that point you do a general e-mail check. At home, without any type of shifts in activity, you might miss these subconscious internal cues. Thus, you’ll need to rely solely on the clock to manage your productivity.
One thing to do is to plan out your day in advance and set timers to signal when you should be wrapping up one task and moving to the next. This will help build some structure into your day and ensure that you stay on track.
Don’t Mix Personal and Business Space
Designate a separate work space so that you can concentrate. It helps tremendously if the floor plans of your place naturally facilitate a workspace (such as an apartment space that has a den).
Typically, your work won’t be spilling over into your personal areas—usually it’s the other way around. Your personal life will tend to encroach into your work space. Resist the temptation to use your “additional” work space for laundry, storage, etc. Your work space should be designated as such. This will help prevent clutter in your space and will train your mind to think “only business” once you enter that space.
Remote Working—Try a Coffeehouse
For many companies, “remote working” doesn’t mean just working from inside your apartment unit or home. If your work permits it, you might want to explore working at a spot outside of your residence, such as any of the fine coffee shops in Chevy Chase. Some find that a little bit of light background noise at a cafe can actually help with concentration. 5333 Connecticut’s amenities also include sitting and coffee areas which are great for work, as well as a dedicated business center for residents to utilize.
Being away from home can also eliminate distractions and temptations to sleep or get off track. If you do choose to work remotely, remember to get clearance from the office to do so, and always be sure that all of your connections and sensitive information are secure.
Check in With Co-Workers Periodically
Check in every once in a while with co-workers or colleagues who are at the office through e-mail, text, chat, or other means. This will help keep you plugged in to others at the office and will keep you informed of the things going on while you’re away.
Staying in touch with the office helps keep you from drifting too far away or too far into a single project—it’s yet another way to help you manage your time. If you’ll be working from home for a long-term project, it helps to periodically visit the office and attend some meetings, just to avoid becoming “invisible”.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to develop excellent work habits when away from the office. Working from home is easy when you live in an ultra-modern residence, such as 5333 Connecticut Ave. We have various floorplans that are great for home offices setups, and a number of services and amenities that can boost productivity. Contact us today to learn more about luxury living in Chevy Chase, one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in DC.