Home office: useful tips for this new trend

The 21st century, of which we haven't yet fully lived through the first quarter, has brought countless changes that we are beginning to witness at an accelerated pace. Technology, medicine, health, politics, work, society, and in general everything around us is changing, leading us, as Darwin would say, to seek new ways to adapt in order to survive. With the emergence of the novel coronavirus pandemic, these changes have intensified, and far from remaining uncertain about the future, we must envision the opportunities to move forward and be productive, successful, and happy.

While it is true that COVID-19 has added a significant degree of uncertainty to the world of work, it has also accelerated what had been anticipated for some years. The concept of the Future of Work has been widely used by various international organizations—ILO, OECD, World Bank, IMF—as well as by research groups, the media, national stakeholders, and the general public. This concept attempts to encompass a series of trends that are causing rapid changes in how we create, produce, and consume, as well as how we relate to one another.

As a result of the lockdown, working from home seems to be one of those trends that's here to stay. It has been promoted as a way to encourage flexibility, work-life balance, and reduce commuting. However, there is a risk that the right to disconnect and rest will be compromised in the pursuit of ever-increasing productivity. Achieving a balance between productivity and rest is the challenge, which is why it's important to consider some useful tips that can help us be productive without becoming slaves to ourselves.

1. Start early and get used to the idea that you're going to the office.

When you have to go to the office, you get up early to leave and arrive on time; this energizes you and makes you feel ready and productive. Practice the same routine at home: dress for work. You don't have to wear heels or a tie, just prepare yourself physically and mentally to start your workday.

2. Designate a comfortable physical space for your work.

Instead of lounging on the sofa or in bed, designate a specific room or space in your home that's comfortable for work. Don't skimp on comfort; you'll be spending many hours there, so buy a comfortable chair that allows you to adopt and maintain good posture for extended periods. It's important that this space is climate-controlled and well-lit. Keep it clean and tidy at all times; this space will facilitate your focus to start and finish work, and will also help you adopt a productive attitude.

3. Plan your work: your day, your week, your month, your projects.

This will help you make your work hours more productive and achieve your goals. You can divide your day into work and rest blocks, leaving the last block for planning the next day. This way, you won't waste time and you'll start off on the right foot. Organizing your time will allow you to have time for yourself, which is important because neglecting yourself tends to lead to feeling tired, exhausted, uncreative, and, of course, unproductive.

Plan your breaks.

You need to maintain a certain regularity in your daily routine so that your body and brain know when to work and when to rest. Don't become your boss's tyrant because you feel unproductive. Depriving yourself of rest, far from making you more productive, will only make you tired, stressed, and uncreative. Plan breaks every two hours to use the restroom, stretch, or have something to eat and drink. This will help keep your mind fresh and clear throughout the workday, and you'll be more productive.

4. Sort your work by relevance or by delivery date

This will allow you to focus and dedicate time to what's urgent and leave for later what can wait. It's also important to identify what times of day you're most productive and creative so you can dedicate those times to the activities that require more concentration or creativity.

5. Set a schedule and stick to it

This will help you be much more efficient during your work hours, as you'll have to finish within the allotted time. This schedule allows us to log in to start and log off when we're finished. This way, we'll have more time for ourselves and to spend with friends and family.

6. Plan household chores

Now that you're spending so much time at home, you need to keep it clean and tidy. Schedule time for cleaning and other tasks like shopping and preparing meals, without interrupting your work.

7. Let the people around you know that you are not always available

Just because you're at home doesn't mean you're free to support others. Set boundaries so people know when they can count on you and when they can't.

8. Choose a background sound that helps you concentrate on your work

Silence isn't always what helps us concentrate; sometimes it's a specific type of music, depending on the task at hand. That background sound will become your emotional companion during work, so it's important to discover what music motivates you to perform different tasks.

9. Think about yourself and dedicate time to yourself.

You are the most important thing. You must stay healthy, both physically and mentally, to be more productive at work. Dedicate time to what you enjoy, to spending time with family and friends. Remember that work is part of your life, not your life.

10. Final recommendations

Establish rules that suit your personal and work characteristics; they don't have to be the ones recommended to you. Only you can know what truly works for you. Experiment with different options until you find a routine that motivates you, a schedule that works for you, and that, of course, makes you a productive, successful, and happy person.

Frequently remind yourself why you do what you do to stay motivated and keep working hard. Place posters and signs around your workplace to help you remember your values ​​and goals. This will also serve as a visual system that reminds you daily where you are and where you want to go.

Ramona Ávila Nuñez, Ph.D.