5 Tips to tackle Work-From-Home struggles

New normal has brought in more WFH days. Learn how to make the best out of them and work more efficiently.

As the pandemic waves continue to hit, minimising contact is the best thing to do. More and more corporations and businesses have realised that a major chunk of jobs can be performed remotely, so why spend more on infrastructure. It’s a genuine impression from a manager’s point of view. But what about the people upon whom this new normal is being imposed? Do they stand in its favour? The answers would probably vary depending upon the actual conditions in which each employee has been working and the challenges they’ve had to face.

What then is the most challenging part about working from home? Probably one that could summarise it all is maintaining the working pace that an individual typically had at their office desks. From distractions due to the doorbell ringing, family members walking in at any given time, or the biggest one: your bed, focusing on work ends up being an uphill climb. Juggling home and work life is tough as it is, but doing both simultaneously without time boundaries is even tougher.

What can you do to work efficiently from home then? Here are some things that we suggest could help.

Start your day early

Although it is tempting to clock in at your own time when working from home, doing the opposite is more beneficial. Since the goal here is to match your normal productivity levels in the workplace, you might as well follow that same routine. Wake up early, freshen up, brew that cup of coffee, take a deep breath and get started with your day. If you’d typically take an hour for commuting, take that into account as well and maybe use that time to exercise a bit or take a walk. More time to spare does not mean that you must overwork. Rather, you can use it to set up your surroundings, organise and get everything ready by your side. Instead of jumping into your emails right after waking up, utilising those extra 15 minutes to calm yourself down would also help avoid burnout in the long run.

Dress up formally

We talked about the perks of starting your day early, but one more thing that should be a part of your morning routine is dressing up as you would for your average workday. Although staying locked up in your house from 9-5 perpetuates the idea that sitting in your night suit to finish your work will be comfortable, it is often counterproductive. Of course, you’re saving time by not changing clothes, tying your tie or putting on makeup. But, your brain falls into a work mindset if you do. Taking the time and getting dressed in a fresh set of clothes leaves you feeling energised at the beginning of the day itself. This means increased productivity! Also, as an additional perk, you look more professional in virtual meetings.

Set up a home office

What is the one thing that distinctly separates your home and workplace? No prizes for the right answer. And yes, it is the presence of a designated workspace! 

Setting up a home office allows you to concentrate more on your work and serves as a part of an excellent work from home ethic. Working from a couch or a bed was the general trend in the initial stages of the pandemic. This led to cases of backaches due to poor posture amongst most working adults. This home office space doesn’t have to be over-the-top. Just a single desk and a chair to replace the ones in your office cabin would work just fine. This space being exclusive to work helps you have an immaculate working desk whenever you need it, without the hassle of tidying up a spot in your home each time some work or meeting comes up.

Find the balance between home and work-life

Managing home and work life together can be frustrating and lead you to drop all the tasks at hand in a frenzy. Doing everything at once- like folding the laundry while briefing your peers about a project might lead you to lose concentration in either and might even tire you out sooner. In pre-pandemic times, you’d go to work and temporarily forget about the responsibilities waiting for you at home. Similarly, when you clock in for work, concentrate on those tasks only. Assert strict time boundaries to segregate your household chores and work tasks so you can address them with the same capacity and efficiency. Losing track of time is a possibility in remote working situations, especially if your job demands flexibility. But, as you would return home from work and get busy with your other duties in a normal scenario and wouldn’t pick up the phone whenever it rings, do the same here. Everyone has a lot on their plate, so better not overwork yourself in one place just to be completely drained for the other.

Reward yourself

Getting accustomed to these remote working circumstances will indeed require a lot of time and patience. So, reward yourself for surviving through the day! Keep taking breaks, treat yourself to a little snack, or just take a nap. Sleep solves everything, after all! Even if things don’t go as planned, do not get discouraged. You did your best, so keep giving yourself credit for trying. Rewards keep your brain happy and stimulate it to keep moving forward. Like your peers congratulating you after getting through an arduous day makes you happier and keeps you going, these self-rewards also play the same role.

The Final Word:

Working from home is undoubtedly difficult. But, adapting to it is the only way forward. Avoid exhaustion and fatigue by finding time out for yourself from your busy schedule - your mental health is important too! 

Following all the tips we mentioned in one go might seem daunting at first. So start small, and see what works for you. Work out what suits you best, make a routine and stick to it to make the best out of your work-from-home days. Good luck!

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