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How to Stay Productive and Disciplined When Working Remotely

Updated on July 27, 2020
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Pawan Kumar is a Digital and Content Marketer at Springworks. He has been featured on many reputed publications and online magazines!

A few years ago, if someone talked about working from home for some reason, the idea would have been strongly ridiculed. But, here we are today entirely moved by this concept and working remotely at our best.

Working in a remote environment has its perks. You get to focus on the tasks without any disturbances or usual office chatter. Similarly, you get to work comfortably in your pajamas all day. And when it comes to snacks, they can go on all day long!

As fun as it sounds, working from home has its downsides. With the lack of an office environment, productivity and discipline often take a backseat. People struggle in maintaining a routine and often find themselves distracted.

While working from home provides flexibility, the concept of work hours almost vanish. This also takes a toll on the work-life balance and makes you feel exhausted. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

With a few proactive measures, you can still be on track of your life and stay motivated and productive. Here are a few things you must include in your lifestyle when working remotely:

1. Get organized and define your to-do list

The first thing to do when working in a remote environment is getting organized. This means defining your to-do list for the day. Most of the time, people forget to complete important tasks and stay occupied with one thing or another. However, when you have a to-do list in place, you don’t need to worry about anything. List the essential tasks on the top. This way, you can start working on the tasks based on their priority.

Staying organized also helps you make the most of your time and manage your day effectively. Of course, it also helps in increasing your productivity.

2. Develop a routine

Getting up, suiting to the formal attire, and then leaving for office makes you a routine out of an ordinary day. You have a time table you begin to follow that also keeps you motivated and disciplined. But, when you don’t have to step out of the house, the routine takes a backseat. There might be days when you work till late and get up late. SImilarly, such cycles might go on. This not only hampers mental health but also indicates a clear lack of routine.

Try to develop a routine by waking up and starting your work at the same time every day. Combined with your to-do list, it will make you finish your tasks on time and get back in your routine the very next day. A routine also helps you become more focused and avoid the temptation to do other jobs such as cath a movie or play a game in between work.

3. Set up a dedicated workspace for a positive environment

There’s a reason most people find it challenging to work at home. They give their best in the office, but they often feel they are less productive when it comes to home. The most common reason behind this is the lack of a dedicated workplace at home.

The office has an atmosphere to it, where everybody is supposed to be working. Home, on the other hand, lacks such an atmosphere. The best thing you can do to increase your productivity at work is to set a dedicated working space at home.

Choose an isolated corner and place your desk and chair. Make it a habit to work only in that place. This helps in building a positive environment that boosts productivity. Alternatively, if you work on your bed, you’re bound to feel lethargic.

My simple workspace at home
My simple workspace at home

4. Use technology to manage your projects and communicate with teams

Communication often takes a toll when it comes to working remotely. In an office setting, anyone can walk to your desk and communicate with you, discuss ideas and opinions, etc. However, the lack of physical proximity creates many gaps in the remote work culture.

The best you can do is leverage technology to your rescue. There are many apps and websites that provide you with the tools to communicate more effectively and collaborate easily. These tools also help you monitor your as well as your team’s performance.

For example, Slack is a tool that enables you to create different communication channels for different teams. Trello can help you to manage your task and projects. You can find plenty of apps that help break the ice between teams and initiate conversations for a more productive and healthy workplace.

5. Have virtual coffee breaks to avoid isolation

We all know the importance of coffee breaks in the office. Not only are they fundamental to working more efficiently, but they also promote friendly conversations between employees. When it comes to the remote work culture, coffee breaks are the most to suffer. This makes employees often feel disconnected and isolated from the workplace.

According to Springworks’ survey, 45.7% of employees said they miss their desk and their office friends.

But, thanks to technology, this situation can be evaded well. To stay more productive, you should take virtual coffee breaks from time to time. There are many apps that help you to play virtual quizzes while enjoying your coffee breaks with your peers.

Remember that taking breaks is as important as working and only increases your productivity. Moreover, who knows what idea you might come up with, in a random conversation with a colleague?

Play virtual quizzes with team
Play virtual quizzes with team

6. Do exercise and yoga

Exercise and yoga increase focus and concentration. This is turn, helps you increase your productivity significantly. Wake up early or take some time out in the evening for at least 30 minutes. Do some breathing exercises and yoga. Not only will it keep your body fit but also freshen up your mind after a long day of work

Final Words!

Working from home can be turned into one of the best experiences with some smart measures. Not only will you be able to get more work done, but also enjoy your flexibility at the same time. The key is to have a routine and approach tasks with a positive attitude.

working

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