If you’re looking to be your most productive when working remotely, there are some things to avoid that you might not even realize are preventing you from completing your work efficiently. Being mindful of how you use your time is one important aspect, as this can help you to determine where you might need to make changes.
Experts working hybrid or remotely share what they stopped and started doing to make the most out of their workday.
1. Not using your breaks wisely
Christian Klinge of Rockfon Sounds Beautiful says, “In my experience, I find one of the tougher habits to break when it comes to trying to work more efficiently from home is not using my breaks wisely. When you don’t take advantage of your break when working remotely, you often fall into a habit of becoming tired or feeling sluggish when you go back to work.”
“This decreases your productivity because all you can focus on is your shift ending. Instead of simply staring at your phone or taking a nap on your break, think about going for a walk, reading a book, knitting, making a puzzle, working out, stretching, or even yoga. Although rest is important, when you work remotely you are often in your own home where it becomes easy to sit and do nothing all day long. Moving your body helps to keep you going throughout the day and makes it easier to stay motivated to be productive.”
2. Working on a whim and not a schedule
“If you have the option to have a more flexible schedule, you should still consider planning out your week before it begins”, says Philippa Gutierrez of Flawless Intuition. “I struggled at the beginning when it came to finding the best times when I am most productive, which caused a lot of stress. I think it pays to find out when you are most motivated, as this makes it much easier to create a schedule that works best for you. If you find you work well in the evening, then create a schedule that works around that.”
“When you just work at random you risk not finishing what needs to be done as your day isn’t as well planned out as it could be. When you find out what times are optimal, I suggest planning out worktimes in your calendar and choosing what you want to work on. You end up being much more productive, and less stressed!”
3. Wearing pajamas all-day
Wearing pajamas or lounge clothes for every workday can slowly become a bad habit says Josh Bluman of Hoppy Copy. “When you don’t dress the part, it can be tough to get into the right headspace when it comes to working from home. You don’t need to wear a full three-piece suit, but a pair of slacks or jeans and a shirt can make all the difference when it comes to trying to get through a workday.”
“When you dress the part, you feel more like you’re in an office space which makes it easier to be more efficient. Being in clothes that are too comfortable can make you tired, and it slows down your motivation significantly.”
4. Staying in the same place
“A change of environment is really helpful when it comes to breaking up the monotony of working from home”, suggests Danielle Hu of The Wanderlover. “I know that for me, it makes a big difference when working remotely to not always stay in the same place. I like to take advantage of coffee shops, local libraries, and co-working spaces to work from in order to keep myself motivated.”
“I find when you put yourself in a new spot, you get a second wind that can push you to get a lot more accomplished. Instead of staying in your home office all day, you can spend the second half of your workday from a coffee shop where there are fewer distractions.”
5. No movement
Not moving your body throughout the workday is a habit that you can easily fall into, according to Michael Jestadt of Smart Heating And Air Conditioning. “Movement is what helps us to keep going and get through those long days when being at home. I always try to go for a walk around the block during my breaks, or even just walk around my house when I can. These movements are essential to working efficiently from home, and it simply just makes you feel better when you have to sit at a desk all day long.”
“It also helps to plan some sort of physical activity before or after work if you can, as this evolves into a good habit which helps you to make healthier choices and you don’t feel as demotivated.”
