10 Things That Make Work From Home Easy

Dell XPS
10 Things That Make Work From Home Easy

‘Work-From-Home’, this three-letter word that once made every employee giddy with joy has now become a part and parcel of our day to day lives. It initially seemed too good to be true, plopping on the sofa with our laptops, while sipping a glass of chai, working away. Well, the initial work from home charms has poofed away. And all that remains is the excruciating work and a gamble to balance home and work life. But, don’t worry, we are all in the same boat. So here are 10 things that will definitely make work from home easy for you.

1. Follow A Morning Routine

Work-From-Home definitely has many perks, the first one being, we don’t have to wake up early and rush to the office. But this also doesn’t mean that you skip your morning routine altogether. Since you’ll mostly be cooped up indoors, it’s always advisable to wake up early and take a brief walk around the block for some fresh air. Prepare and savour a delicious breakfast, freshen up, dress presentably and then sit in front of your laptop for your work. This simple tip to follow a morning routine will surely make work from home a much easier and enjoyable experience for you.

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2. Create An At-Home Work Space

It can get incredibly tempting to work from your couch or your bed. But this could take a toll on your productivity. So, in order to remind your brain that it’s time for work and not relaxation, make sure you create an at-home workspace. Try to always work from a consistent room, desk or chair. You will surely end up feeling more alert, confident and organized. Set up your workspace with a spacious desk, comfy chair with back support and consistent workplace tools. Also, personalise your space as you will be spending a lot of time there.

3. Invest In A Good Laptop

When you work from the office, you’re likely to use the office PC. But when you work from home, you really need a good laptop. So, do invest in good laptops like Dell’s XPS 13 & 15. With cutting edge technology, battery life of up to 18 hours, the 13 inch, XPS 13 is perfect for people wanting to hone their creative skills. When it comes to the Dell XPS 15 model, the 15-inch laptop offers incredible sound experience, long battery life and 5% larger display than before. So if you’re looking for a good laptop that offers you impressive battery life, and the latest technology, then Dell’s XPS 13 & 15 laptop models are your best bets.

4. Dress Like You’re Work Ready

Even if you won’t have to interact with your colleagues, it’s still important to dress for success. This includes showering, brushing your teeth, combing your hair and wearing comfortable yet presentable clothes. Pyjamas are comfortable but might leave you feeling sluggish, sleepy or demotivated. So do put a little effort to dress up presentably before work, so you look and feel fresh, not only on video calls but throughout your working hours.

5. Maintain Regular Working Hours

When you work from home, more often than not, the thin line separating work and personal life disappears. And you might end up working beyond regular working hours. Now while this can happen on a few days, if you don’t maintain regular working hours it can lead to burnout. So compartmentalize your day and keep work and personal time separate. Set a work schedule and stick to it. Avoid the need to procrastinate when working from home. Having clear guidelines when to work and when to call it a day, helps remote workers maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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6. Take Short Breaks

When you work from the office, you’d definitely take a quick coffee break or lunch break. During this time you chat with your colleagues or take a quick walk to refresh yourself. Well if you can do this at work, then why not at home? Break time won’t decrease your productivity, instead it shall improve your efficiency. Research has also shown that taking short breaks can actually increase creativity and productivity levels. So it won’t kill to take a quick tea break or a short walk in between your working hours.

7. Remove Distractions & Instead Set A Schedule For Them

As you sit clicking away in your laptop, what distractions are around you? Your child screaming for attention, pending chores, social media temptations, might attract your attention amid working hours. To make work from home comfortable and easier, remove these distractions and instead set a schedule for them. Plan to complete your pending chores before or after your working hours. Inform your family that you’ll be working for a scheduled time and then will take a lunch break. Inform them in advance so they’d know when you’d be free to give them your undivided attention. It’s perfectly natural and alright to have distractions. But its always great to make a schedule even for them.

8. Socialize With Your Colleagues

Grabbing a coffee by the office cooler, sharing lunch meals together and just collaborating on work is total office nostalgia. Now while your colleagues aren’t physically present, you can always catch up with them over Whatsapp, Skype, or Google Hangouts.  Board meetings have given way to virtual meetings. But the latter is as effective as the former. So do take time to connect with your colleagues. It can be for a quick chat about personal or professional reasons. This way you won’t miss out on the fun aspects of your office life.

9. Manage Your Time Through Time Management Apps

If you struggle to stay ahead of time while working from home, then you can kick things up a notch with time management apps. Some productivity apps track the amount of time you spend on each task. They can also minimize distractions. So try using time management apps like Harvest, RescueTime and Toggl. Using time tracker apps can keep a check on your productivity levels every day of the week. So you can get an insight into when you’re most productive during the day and how much time you spend on each of your tasks.

10. Stay Positive

When you’re working from home for days, managing chores, family time and trying to strike a healthy work-life balance can be quite a task. But amid all this, one of the best ways to have a comfortable work from home experience is to stay positive. It might seem easier than it sounds. But simple things like taking a morning stroll, exercising, doing yoga and meditation can help you stay positive through it all. Remind yourself that you’re not alone. And we will all sail out of these situations together. Till then, give a wide smile and stay positive!

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