The Covid-19 virus has disrupted and displaced workforces across the globe at breath-taking speed. While working from home is by no means a new concept, it’s one that we’ve all had to suddenly come to terms.

Here’s our top tips to making a success of working from home.
Own your space 

Regain a sense of control by making positive changes to your environment. Tidy your house, do the dishes and implement a routine for the beginning and end of your working day.  

Focus on one thing at a time

Switching between tasks is likely to lead to lower productivity as it prevents you from getting into the flow and engaging deep thinking. Take on one task at a time and incorporate small breaks between them to keep you feeling fresh. 

Eat that frog 

It can be tempting to get easy tasks out of the way first to gain an instant sense of satisfaction, but this can make it harder to focus on more challenging tasks later in the day. Start each day by “eating the frog”, or in other words, completing your most difficult and important task of the day. You’ll find that this leads to greater levels of motivation and productivity for the rest of the day.  

Beware of virtual presenteeism

People often feel a need to provide proof to their colleagues that they’re working and can overcompensate by responding to messages within seconds. This is counterproductive as it breaks your concentration. We need to trust one another and remember that it’s about what we produce, not when we’re present.  

Incorporate exercise 

Countless studies have shown that regular exercise is good for our minds and bodies. While the gym is closed, there’s plenty of other ways you can work some physical activity into your day, from an early morning walk to online yoga classes.

Accept the unexpected 

Whether it’s attention-seeking cats, crying toddlers or a struggling broadband, there will be some new challenges to face as you adapt to long-term remote working. Be kind to yourself as you learn to adapt. After all, today's struggles will inform tomorrow’s learnings.  

Try something new

Whether you want to learn a new skill or try optimising an existing process, working outside your normal work routine can be a great opportunity to create and innovate. It also helps to keep your mind active and engaged.