Working from home has become more common in the past few years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this growth. Whether this is your first-time telecommuting or your job usually allows it, there are a few tips that can make your day easier.
Transcribe Online Meetings
If you can’t meet in person, you likely have online meetings to discuss important projects. It can be hard to keep track of all the information, but when you transcribe a Zoom meeting, you can easily document your conversations. It only takes seconds, and it can save time. Once the participants know that everything is being recorded, they don’t have to take notes, allowing them to focus on the conversation. After the meeting is over, you can refer to the transcription anytime, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything.
Designate a Separate Workspace
One of the main challenges of telecommuting is keeping your home and work lives separate. The line can become blurred, and if you can’t disconnect from work, both your home life and productivity can suffer. If you usually go to an office, you have a physical separation, so try to recreate that in your home. That can be hard if you live in a small apartment, but even if it’s just a chair or corner that you use exclusively for your job, it can help you stay productive. Leaving the space signals your brain that you are done at the end of the day. Try to pack up what work you can, whether that means shutting down your laptop or just closing the applications related to your job.
Don’t Forget Social Time
When your office starts working remotely, you miss out on social interactions. Those normally help break up the monotony and prevent you from feeling lonely. While it’s not the same, try talking to coworkers through texts, calls, or messaging. If you usually ask how someone’s weekend went, keep it up, even if they didn’t go anywhere then. A little interaction can go a long way. Set some time aside to catch up with coworkers one-on-one. A break to talk to them is vital, even if you do not leave your home. Consider doing a morning video call with the team so you can get some small talk in. But don’t leave it at that. Many people are feeling uncertain, so find out how they’re really doing.
Transition In or Out of Work
A morning commute is about more than just going to your job. It also lets your brain prepare for the day. If you normally listen to music on your commute, do the same thing in the morning. An evening commute can help your brain wind down and prepare for your nighty routine. Do something to signal the end of the day, such as going for a walk or run. Not only does it help your brain reset, but some physical activity can feel good if you spent the majority of the day sitting at a desk or on your couch.