Last week was very intensive for most organisations and employees who moved over their daily operations from office based to remote working. I picked up a lot of feedback from platforms, friends and associates on what worked and what didn't work. I thought it was a timely "matter" to blog. For most testimonials received some aspects worked whilst others didn't work.
Did you know that remote working is not new? Remote workers also did not emerge with the advent of the internet. Working remotely has always existed in industry but that's another matter for another day. Remote work is simply a working style that allows professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment. With remote working, firstly you own your time and it's management which can be a double edged sword to be carefully held. Secondly, there is no peer pressure to enable productivity/performance and finally no face to face interaction to translate more meaning to work. So let's see what we can do differently this new week to be more productive 1. Set up a designated office space Working from a "home office" always help you swing into the mood for work and helps get the work done. This simply means get a table and a chair with good lights and ventilation in the space. Some have turned to their dinning tables which also works so long as you can use this as a dedicated office space. Simply get dressed at your normal office hours and go to your home office. Getting dressed up is a vital part of this so please don't overlook this detail. 2. Let your household know your new work rules You need to let your folks at home know your "new normal" and do take time to explain to your children, yes please explain to them and there is no age limit to this. Simply explain to everybody and believe me they understand. An example of what to say would be "I would be working from home from now and I will need your support. Please try not to call my attention during these hours". 3. Set your calendar for the day Be very deliberate about planning your dairy for the day and leave very little room for interruptions. However, plan to have breaks for lunch and to take a stretch and socialise with folks at home. This must however be timed and all sessions promptly adhered to. 4. Prepare for the next day ahead It helps when you know what tomorrow will look like ahead of time. Always remember you are in your home and it is very easy to fill in the gap when there is nothing to do. 5. Be well enabled by technology The game changer here really is technology so you can't do without a stable connection. Make adequate arrangements if possible to have an alternate connection. Finally, now that we know certainly there will be no movement in parts of the country for 2 weeks, this is the time to get committed to your new ways of working and be more productive. Guess what? There are many benefits in all of these that should make you smile namely; work-life integration (it's all under one roof), no traffic hassles and the related stress and off course we have a greener world with less gas burning. Here's to a new week of working remotely and making it work! Keep safe, keep well, keep your hands clean and keep your social distance! All the very best!!
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