For those who are first timers in Work From Home during Lockdown COVID-19

This is especially for those who are doing first time Work From Home. As we know the Pandemic Coronavirus has forced us all to be at home. Some employers may recommend employees to work from home instead of attending their usual place of work for next 3 to six months. We all know that world is almost closed for month or two and it will take some time to sanitize outside & work spaces. For those who used to working remotely or work from home, this is not new. But if you are going to deal with such situation for the first time, here’s how to go about it.

Designate Work Area

First of all you need to create or identify workspace for you. It can be a chair with small table, or you sitting on couch or anything to give rest to your back. Make sure you have less distraction around like TV or Fridge in the room or area. Look for space where wall behind you is good for skype or other video calls if required for net meetings as work from home demands to unite with teams.

Getting Organized

Before you sit & start working from home, arrange all that required to do uninterrupted work. Get your phone, laptop, diary, pen and chargers at place. Its always handy to have noise cancellation headphones for better concentration if you want to avoid unnecessary noise by kids playing around or some doorbell or so.

Know your Tech & Apps

For speed, efficiency & to manage time well, professionals who regularly works from home knows about tools at their disposal like Google hangout, Zoom, Skype, Trello, slack etc. There are many project management tools that can help. Learn to adapt tech & apps available for same can help. Its never too late to learn new things.

Workflow

If you are going to work from home & that is too for 3 weeks or more then you need to follow a work flow to achieve max as there will be so many distractions. Plan your day in advance before you start the work. Have a task list on your laptop as sticky. Prioritize your projects and do allocate extra time for some exigency calls or calls from your manager or client. Do not pulled out to answer new mails immediately. Although multi tasking is a skill not mastered by everyone as for others it kills productivity.

Communicate Schedule

It is very interesting and unique idea as I used many times and it helps  when you work from home.You can use your whatsapp status to publish your working hours schedule. You can allocate times to people for Calls or video calls & send them advance notice on whatsapp as well. As a leader or Manager you need to share more information than usual with your team. You can provide them with the technology they need, organise online social interactions and discuss how they are coping with the situation.

Be Honest with yourself

Remember, you going to get paid for Work from home. Always stay little bit more committed to work allotted to you. If you will compromise your professional respect then maybe you will not only loose business or client or may be in tough times ahead company may cut jobs and you can lose job as well. Honesty still is the best policy.

Be a Winner

Do not expect to be a master to crack efficiency and productivity on day one. It may take day or two to adapt this environment. But it is always fun to work remotely or work from home as it will cultivate self discipline & brings confidence to handle situations. Soon you will be productive and will become happy to enjoy perks of work from home.

To get desired result & less distraction when you are working from home, dress up well like you are going to office and sit straight to strengthen your back for long hours sometime.

Home-Work Life Balance;

Just because you can work at all the time, that does not mean you should.

Make some rules & boundaries to protect your personal life as well.

Eat well & on time and do some indoor exercise during breaks.

Make a routine just like going on work, freshen up, dress up, grab a cup of coffee & walk 5-7 minutes to your desk to start work from home. Same way end your day by closing your laptop & zip it. It will help you to differentiate official & personal life.

Proper breaks for meal or freshen up are important for mental peace & balance.

Do not stay in your office gear once your day schedule for work from home is over. Set aside your gadgets and make few calls to your friends or family while walking for 5-7 minutes.

Last but not the least, stay positive & be healthy.

You can contact author at mohinder@founder91.com

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