Best practices for working remotely

Working from home has become a full-time reality for many of us as. It can take some adjustment however, as you may find your focus and productivity take a little more effort to maintain. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Take advantage of the morning. Starting your day earlier than your regular in-office hours actually helps the productivity of your workday. Try to finish your bigger tasks or projects in the morning and schedule any meetings or phone calls for the afternoon when you may be winding down your day.
2.  Have a dedicated workspace. Setting a specific room or space as your home office will help increase your focus throughout the day. Try to avoid sitting in bed or lounging on the couch. Having a separate area as a home office will also set clear boundaries for your work/life balance.
3. Set goals and share them with your teammates. Making a to-do list for each day is a good way to stay on track. 
4. Set rules. Communicate clear expectations to the people you share your home or space with. And when you’re in a meeting, you probably don’t want them in the vicinity. 
5. Avoid social media. Try hiding your apps in a folder, restricting their use with your phone’s Screen Time settings or if all else fails, delete them completely!
6. Have background noise. Sometimes working from home can get really quiet, having background noise such as music or the television in the background will help break the silence. 
7. Video calls. Although audio calls are sufficient, video calls are better when working from home. In the office, you are always collaborating face to face so try to recreate that by video calling your coworkers. 
8. Take breaks. Always take proper breaks, get up from your computer and move around. It is best to change your posture ideally every 50 minutes and to move around regularly in order to relax your muscles and joints. Try to get outside and go for a walk if you’re able to maintain social distancing, and try some yoga or stretches. But don’t become distracted, remember it is still a workday. 
9. Be patient. Working from home can come with challenges, whether that be IT or communication problems remember to not stress and to stay positive.
10. Turn off the computer. When your workday is done, turn off the computer and disconnect—separate your work time from your personal time.