How to work from home effectively: Five tips for working remotely

Before March 12, 2020, one in five employed adults in America worked remotely. In the last year, that number has drastically increased to 71% of working adults. As working from home has become the “new norm” for the foreseeable future, it’s important to create routines to help us adapt while also maintaining our productivity.

Here are some tips to help keep you sane:

Stay on top of your schedule
It’s best to write every task down. Whether you have a digital planner, sticky notes, or a to-do list in your journal, write down what you need to get done. Writing things down makes it harder to forget and brings you one step closer to creating a routine. There are great tools available like Microsoft Office 365 and its suite of tools.

Set a timer for designated tasks
Blocking time for designated tasks on your calendar will help you stay focused and on task. Create a set schedule for responding to emails, call backs and prospecting for that next client. Also dedicate what times you can be open for meetings. Blocking out time will give you a goal to shoot for and increase productivity.

Take a break
When working from home, it’s important to remember to step away. Work breaks increase productivity, decision-making skills and motivation. Set a routine of an hourly five-minute break, whether it is just to stretch, get a sip of water, or grab a snack. Make fresh air a priority. Getting outside of your home at least once every 24 hours will help your physical and mental health.

Create a dedicated space
One of the most important things WFH employees learned in 2020 was the value of a designated workspace. Setting up a home office with items like a lamp (or good window lighting), your laptop, pens and a notepad will help you stick to work and create a routine of productivity. Surround yourself with the tools and an atmosphere to make your space happy and productive.

Own your video appearance
With so many meetings taking place in front of the camera, these tips will help you get that professional winning look. Whether your preferred platform is Zoom, Teams, WebEx, Skype or one of the many others, you can own your screen. Invest in a desktop ring light and webcam. Your PC may come with a built-in camera, but you may want to upgrade. If your office does not give off that appearance you want to project, look into virtual backgrounds and even branding backgrounds with your company logo. If you are presenting and do not need to be on your company’s VPN, shut that off so you have the full bandwidth available, for high quality streaming. If you look out of focus, make sure your lens is clean and free of dirt and fingerprints.

Do you have any work-from-home tips or experiences to share? Share them on the @NAIOPSNV Facebook page!

Terry Resch
Senior Account Executive
O 702.545.1839 | C 702.265.2881
1700 Vegas Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89106
Terry.Resch@cox.com