Telework: 5 Keys to Happiness
16 April 2015
Read by 2469 persons
Working from home occasionally is a great way to better balance work and life and boost productivity. But, you need to optimize your approach. Here's how:
One challenge of working from home is managing freedom: it's fantastic for balancing family and work, but it can also be a trap when it comes to scheduling.
The challenge for the teleworker isn't working instead of relaxing, but working efficiently so you can switch off your computer, happy and satisfied with the tasks completed, and move on to other things.
Work in a suitable environment
You need a clean workspace, separate from other areas of the house; being able to close the door behind you once work is finished. A bright, quiet room with a nice view—for example, of a garden—will help you concentrate and work in a serene and motivating environment. Don't skimp on comfort: an ergonomic office chair, a large screen, a suitably sized desk.
Establish routines
Routine helps set benchmarks and structure the day. It doesn't mean exactly replicating your office routine (otherwise, what's the point of teleworking?), but you still need to be available for your colleagues. Squaring the circle? No! The routines to put in place are:
the time you wake up
how you start your day
times for breaks and how to organize them
bedtime
Hit the ground running
This means: waking up early, having a good breakfast, going for a walk or a 20-minute jog, showering, and being ready by 9 am to start the day.
Absolutely avoid reading your emails in your pajamas over breakfast: you lose personal and professional quality of life!
There's no point in showing your colleagues you're 'on deck' at dawn by connecting to company social tools if you're only half there…
And that short walk outside makes a huge difference; it feels like arriving at the office even though you're working at home. And if you're not athletic, grab an espresso at the local cafe: the walk will already clear your head.
Set goals
Define your daily goals, write them down and measure your progress mid-way through. The idea is to gradually evaluate your productivity: We often feel like we haven't done anything concrete during the day, but after reviewing what's been done, we see that progress has been made.
Set limits
Teleworking doesn't mean you can or should work more. The key is to work better, not longer.
Protect your workspace from external distractions: even though you work at home, you are working and therefore unavailable.
Jobat.be
One challenge of working from home is managing freedom: it's fantastic for balancing family and work, but it can also be a trap when it comes to scheduling.
The challenge for the teleworker isn't working instead of relaxing, but working efficiently so you can switch off your computer, happy and satisfied with the tasks completed, and move on to other things.
Work in a suitable environment
You need a clean workspace, separate from other areas of the house; being able to close the door behind you once work is finished. A bright, quiet room with a nice view—for example, of a garden—will help you concentrate and work in a serene and motivating environment. Don't skimp on comfort: an ergonomic office chair, a large screen, a suitably sized desk.
Establish routines
Routine helps set benchmarks and structure the day. It doesn't mean exactly replicating your office routine (otherwise, what's the point of teleworking?), but you still need to be available for your colleagues. Squaring the circle? No! The routines to put in place are:
the time you wake up
how you start your day
times for breaks and how to organize them
bedtime
Hit the ground running
This means: waking up early, having a good breakfast, going for a walk or a 20-minute jog, showering, and being ready by 9 am to start the day.
Absolutely avoid reading your emails in your pajamas over breakfast: you lose personal and professional quality of life!
There's no point in showing your colleagues you're 'on deck' at dawn by connecting to company social tools if you're only half there…
And that short walk outside makes a huge difference; it feels like arriving at the office even though you're working at home. And if you're not athletic, grab an espresso at the local cafe: the walk will already clear your head.
Set goals
Define your daily goals, write them down and measure your progress mid-way through. The idea is to gradually evaluate your productivity: We often feel like we haven't done anything concrete during the day, but after reviewing what's been done, we see that progress has been made.
Set limits
Teleworking doesn't mean you can or should work more. The key is to work better, not longer.
Protect your workspace from external distractions: even though you work at home, you are working and therefore unavailable.
Jobat.be
