
The current situations have made remote work mainstream throughout the world. With people struggling to work productively at home, I thought it would be a great idea to share some thoughts and tips on working from home as I have been working remotely most of my time for several years.
Remote work usually suits the engineering department of tech companies because of their work nature and personalities. But now everyone is working from home with the family and without a proper setup, it has become quite challenging. There are several ways to improve your productivity, sharing some of them that I try to follow.
Keep The Morning Routine
Your routine has definitely changed with the current lock downs but it doesn't mean there is no way to overcome it. You are having some extra sleep which might be good for you but don’t be lazy, still start off early, take a bath, dress up and have coffee before you open the laptop.
Never Compromise Meals
I know working from home compromises your meal time, never do that. If you are finding it difficult, set it up on the calendar. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all must be taken at the time you usually take.
Take Breaks
When in office, there are several reasons which make you stand up from your desk, like grabbing water, going to the restroom or chatting with colleagues. When at home, it's different, it's better to roam around the house, check with your family and have a quick break.
Turn On Video
When in virtual meetings, it is always useful to turn on videos so you can see your colleagues and have a feel that you are with them. Also, it helps in communication.
Stay ActiveGyms and fitness clubs are closed but running and doing some crunches are still helpful. These might not be your favourite but they prove to be a good reason to keep yourself away from your screen for sometime if you do during work hours.
Finish On Time
Finishing work on time is very difficult unless you have a real reason. You keep doing and then realizing you could have finished it earlier. That's one of the biggest drawbacks that comes with remote work. And with mobile notifications, it actually keeps you engaged with your work. Turn them off at the time that you feel is right for you and your family.
Learn From It
I see it as a great opportunity. Â Distributed working culture has already been adopted by many tech companies especially for engineers and it is now considered as a skill that one should have. It is a perfect time to gain remote work experience and prove yourself to be productive.