During the past two years or so, our daily routines suddenly had to change including our work lifestyles; starting with the transition from office work to fully remote work, to the recent adoption of a hybrid work environment which has become the new reality for many businesses.
While lockdowns are being lifted and restrictions are being eased, hybrid work environments are still prominent today for many reasons. First and foremost, it enables businesses to better expand their geographic employment reach of both local and international employees. Remote work also means less commute time which results in better health, cost and environmental benefits – all of which result in enhanced productivity, fewer sick days and reduced staff turnover, to name a few.
However, just like anything else in our lives, hybrid work environments come with their own set of challenges such as maintaining a high level of discipline, overcoming the difficulty of virtual communication, higher risk of burnout and isolation risk.
So, without further ado, let’s look into some tips on how to transform remote work woes into wins:
- Create the right setup
Having to spend most of your time at your workspace should encourage you to invest and design it in a way that places you in the right mindset, makes you feel happy, energized, and productive. You can make that happen by simple adjustments such as placing your workstation near a window with access to natural light, or an entire outdoor space! In addition, surrounding yourself with nature, whether it’s indoor plants, a nice view, or even images of beautiful landscapes, goes a long way for that relaxing and inspiring ambiance. A healthy workspace undoubtedly requires a comfortable chair and desk to boost your concentration, and most importantly, separate it from your personal space by using individual rooms or utilizing a specific corner in the room for work only.
- Establish a daily workflow
Figuring out the best daily routine for you will help you separate the professional part of your day from your personal life, which could include waking up at the same time, dressing up for work, perhaps having your morning coffee while catching up on the most recent news and updates before work. These seemingly mundane tasks will give you time to mentally prepare for the workday and make you keener and more alert.
- Set work-life boundaries
While working from home makes it easier to work more days and longer hours with your ‘office’ in the next room, working overtime and pushing your limits can lead to job burnout which causes physical and mental exhaustion in the long run. So, once your working hours are done, let your team know when you’re signing off, and make sure to turn off your laptop and avoid checking your email on your mobile. Setting work-life boundaries is essential to maintain your energy and even maximize your efficiency for the next day.
- Focus on self-care and wellness
Focusing on self-care reduces feelings of isolation and improving your wellness can offset job burnout. Working from home grants you the ability to do some stretches or ride your exercise bike or treadmill for ten minutes when you need a break, so make use of it! Aim at incorporating restorative rest, physical movement, a balanced diet, and sleep into your daily schedule.
- Last but not least, are you a parent?
Remember when I mentioned less commute time as one of the benefits of working from home? Well for parents, it certainly allows them to spend more time than ever with their kids, but it also may seem impossible to focus while working with your kids at home!
To manage this, it’s extremely essential to be firm about your space and time boundaries with your kids to help them understand that you are not available for playtime during work time. Specifying a workspace that you only use during working hours and creating a steady work from home schedule and workflow allows your kids to know what to expect, and when.
You can also make it fun for them by getting them involved in ‘helping’ you work, such as creating “Do Not Disturb” and “In a Meeting” signs so that they can establish a better understanding of what those signs mean.
Help is a must if you have a newborn baby or a toddler that cannot attend to their own needs. In this case, you should consider childcare, the assistance of a family member or friend, or a hands-on, hands-off routine with your partner.
