How to make the most of working from home

For many of us, it’s the first time we have worked from home, away from our offices and colleagues, for an extended period of time. We’ve pulled together a list of hints and tips of what you can do to make the most of working from home, stay efficient and feel motivated.

Get dressed for work

The prospect of staying in pyjamas all day may seem the best aspect of working from home. But getting dressed for work will not only improve your overall state of mind, it will also help to mentally prepare you for the start the working day.

Some people find that dressing in business attire helps, and it can also be useful if you need to dial into an important video call. But for many others, getting dressed may mean simply changing into a t-shirt and jeans. This will also increase your motivation to leave the house to do your daily exercise and get some much needed fresh air.

Create a designated workspace

Choose an area of your home – potentially a section of your living area or ideally an entirely separate room with lots of natural light – that will be your designated workspace throughout the week. Then at the end of the working day, close this space until the start of the next working day.

Set and stick to working hours

Allocate time each day for work and be strict with yourself to stick to the time you’ve set aside. This could be a typical nine to five, or you could split hours morning/night with afternoon time “off” or timeshift. However you choose to structure your working day, make sure you stick to set hours or you’ll constantly get derailed. It’s so easy to get distracted by flexibility to take a social call, duck out for an errand, or procrastinate with chores.

Decorate your space

Personalise your workspace and take steps to make sure you have everything you need to do your job within reach. Move furniture around if you need to, to make sure you have the best possible space for your work and room for any kit you may need. Then use candles, houseplants, pictures and stationery to decorate your workspace and make it a visually appealing place to spend your time, which will help to motivate you whilst at work.

Prepare lunch in advance

Try to have lunch and snacks for the working day ready before you start work. By preparing your ‘packed lunch’ the night before, you’ll be able to maximise your time and won’t get distracted with preparing another meal during the working day. Make the most of local food delivery services and lunch recipe inspiration, and support Bridge of Don businesses in the process.

Take regular breaks

It’s important to take regular breaks, and by taking some time away from your screen, you’re more likely to be efficient at work. Get up and make a cup of tea, stretch and walk around your home as you would at work. It’s also important to exercise daily and get some fresh air. Why not take a walk outside and do the Grandhome Scavenger Hunt with your children to keep them entertained, go for a run around the neighbourhood, or take some time to get your garden ready for the summer months. With lots of green space, Grandhome is an ideal location to get some fresh air and energise you for the rest of the afternoon.

Listen to music

There are lots of working from home playlists available online that are perfect for providing that much-needed motivation and energy. Or if you find music distracting, listen to playlists which simulate the buzz of a coffee shop and create some much needed background noise.

Keep in touch with colleagues

Lots of us are missing the office and chatting to our colleagues or meeting in person for work. Try to catch up regular with your teams and individually with colleagues, as you would in the office, making use of video conferencing tools to host virtual meetings. And once you’ve reached the end of a working week, why not organise a quiz session or after-work drinks to socialise with colleagues before you ‘head off’ for the weekend?