Motivated and productive in the homeoffice
Tips for working from home
27 March, 2020 by
Motivated and productive in the homeoffice
manaTec GmbH, Tom Pohling
 

In last week's blog, we already discussed the technical requirements for working from home. On the other hand, there is the great challenge of finding our way around in the new working environment, creating a positive and motivating working atmosphere, and thus completing our tasks in a targeted and effective manner.

Working from home brings both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, we save the time we would otherwise need to travel to the office and can freely divide our time throughout the day. Possibly, the lack of distractions in the office increases our ability to concentrate and our familiar environment creates more creativity and inventiveness.

On the other hand, the boundaries between private and professional issues become blurred in the home office. There may be other factors that can cause distractions, such as private errands or children. In addition, a lack of communication with colleagues and managers can lead to decisions being made less quickly and thus to a decrease in the speed of work in projects or to a loss of transparency in teamwork.

Nevertheless, there are ways and means to profitably use these advantages and reduce the disadvantages to a minimum. In today's blog, we present helpful tips on how to make home office work enjoyable and productive at the same time.

A positive and motivating working atmosphere in the homeoffice.
A positive and motivating working atmosphere in the homeoffice.

We go to work.

Of course, we don't go to the office to work, but we behave as if we were going to the office to work. To do this, we create as separate an area as possible to work in. This doesn't have to be a self-contained space, but an area that we can clearly separate from our private environment. In the best case, we set up a workstation here that resembles the one in the office with a table, a comfortable chair and the appropriate technical equipment.

We also mentally prepare ourselves for a normal day at the office. This includes the morning routine and clothing that corresponds to our usual, office-appropriate style. All of this creates a professional working atmosphere even in the home office, sets our minds mentally for work and has a positive effect during, for example, video conferences with our team or our customers.

We define clear working hours

To clearly distinguish between private and professional matters, we define fixed working hours for ourselves. During this time, we deal exclusively with professional issues. On the other hand, we can deal with private issues before and after working hours. In this way, we distinguish between private and professional matters in terms of both time and content. This creates transparency in the team regarding availability and accessibility in the home office. It also makes it easier for us to switch off after work.

Firmly defined working hours help us to separate private and professional topics when working from home.
Firmly defined working hours help us to separate private and professional topics when working from home.

We organize and prioritize ourselves

When we start work, we take a few minutes to plan the day. To-do lists, mind maps, the company's own ERP system or various project management tools can help us here. We set clear priorities and define which tasks need to be completed promptly and which tasks can be worked through later. This helps us to maintain an overview and to work in a structured manner.

This is where it can be helpful to take advantage of individual peak phases. These are the times when we usually are most productive. For example, there are people whose productivity is highest in the morning, during the day or in the evening. We then use these high phases not only for scheduling, but also for "difficult" tasks. To increase our own motivation, it can also help us if we schedule a task for each day that we enjoy doing and look forward to.

We communicate

The complete contrast to the daily hustle and bustle in the office is being alone in home office, which can be equally exhausting. To counteract this, it is all the more important that we maintain regular communication with our colleagues, managers or customers. To this end, we clarify issues not in writing via messenger services or the ERP system, for example, but by telephone in a direct exchange. This also has the advantage that open questions can be clarified much more quickly.

In addition, we continue to participate in internal and external meetings, whether by telephone or video conference. For example, a daily standup is recommended for team coordination. In a 15-minute meeting, we report to our colleagues and managers on the topics we are currently working on, the projects in which we are making good progress, and the areas where there are challenges. This not only promotes a communicative exchange, but also provides a basis for professional input from everyone involved.

Thus, constant communication helps against being alone, promotes the exchange within the team and certifies a proactive way of working. In addition, it is imperative, especially for managers, to choose suitable communication channels and means to organize and support the team even in the home office.

The regular exchange within the team helps us to stay up to date on all topics.
The regular exchange within the team helps us to stay up to date on all topics.

We take breaks

Just as important as defining fixed working hours is planning regular breaks. In the best case, we plan a 5-minute break per working hour and a 30-minute lunch break. During breaks, we pay particular attention to leaving our workplace. Communicating breaks within the team ensures that we are undisturbed during our break and that we can also use the break as a time for relaxation.

We also ensure that we drink enough and eat at set times. This is not only healthy, but also creates relaxation and promotes concentration and performance. We additionally reinforce these positive effects with a few minutes of exercise in the fresh air.

We commend ourselves

A lack of positive feedback from colleagues or managers can lead to demotivation. In contrast, praise can lead to greater drive for upcoming tasks and boost self-confidence. For this reason, we try to praise ourselves for completed tasks and thus create additional motivation for ourselves.

We respect closing time

Similar to the daily routine in the office, we also end the workday in the home office. To do this, we clean up our workspace, turn off all technology and physically and mentally leave the work area. Now we have time for our private tasks, for our personal interests or simply for ourselves.

Of course, these tips are not a universal remedy for a perfect day in the home office, but serve as food for thought to create a positive working atmosphere. The focus is always on the individual needs of each person, which means that not every tip is applicable to every person. Ultimately, we listen to ourselves and thus create the basis for the most relaxed and effective work possible in the home office.

You regularly work from home, and have some helpful tips to design your work day? Contact uns now, we look forward to your experiences!


Sources: www.karrierebibel.de, www.management-circle.de, www.impulse.de, www.arbeits-abc.de

 
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