The coronavirus pandemic changed the corporate world. Many people were forced to work remotely to maintain social distance and prevent the spread of the pandemic. This was a challenging transition for people who hadn’t worked remotely before.
Today many people work at home. If you are one of them, here are several mistakes you should avoid to remain productive while working from home.
1. Working Continuously
Remote working can tempt you to operate without taking breaks. You may find yourself stuck on your home office chair all day, taking calls and replying to messages. Working from home shouldn’t turn you into a robot. Take breaks in between to relax the mind and stretch your body.
Remember that sitting for many hours can cause numbness in the legs, back pain, and neck pain. Also, sitting for long hours can lead to early death even if you exercise frequently. People who take a break every 30 minutes significantly reduce their risk of dying early.
2. Allowing Unnecessary Distractions
The temptation to indulge in unnecessary things during work time is quite high when working remotely. This is why you should commit to a serious schedule. Ensure you have a daily to-do list with achievable, measurable, and specific tasks. Additionally, maintaining good work ethics while working remotely demands that you set clear boundaries. Let your friends, partner, and the people you live with know your working schedule.
3. Working from Your Bed
You may be tempted to open your computer and begin working while still lying in your bed. You have tried this at least once, haven’t you?
Avoid working from the bed as much as possible as it could cause back pains and poor posture. The best thing is to set apart an area in your house to operate as your home office. Ensure that you have an ergonomically correct desk to prevent hip dysfunction, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also helps you focus and be productive.
4. Working in Nightclothes
If you want to remain productive, don’t wake up and begin working immediately while still in your nightclothes. Instead, get ready to start the day as you would if you were going into the office. Dressing in presentable attire can help switch your mind into work mode.
A study conducted by the University of Northwestern showed that workers perform well while in the proper work attire irrespective of their specialization. It’s possible to remain productive and healthy while working from home. However, you have to work with intention. If you don’t plan your schedule well, it might be challenging to achieve the set goals. Take your time to create the best environment around your home to remain active and productive.
