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Can you crush your workload while working from home?

Danila Petrova on March 14, 2020

2020 has just started a couple of months ago, yet we are found in the difficult situation of dealing with the coronavirus - leading many companies ...
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Michael Z

There have been quite a few blogs like this recently which makes me wonder: Am I the only one who feels more productive working from home? With no shoulder taps or loud open meetings going on around me, I can, in a long time, focus on a problem for a long time :)

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Danila Petrova

To be honest, I have been really productive working from home as well. That is once I was all set up.

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Scott Simontis

Random tips I have found while readjusting to working from home (my employer has suspended in-office work until further notice):

  • In video meetings, turn your camera on. It helps make it a little bit more of a personable experience and motivates people to pay attention.
  • Try to stick to a structured schedule. Personally, my life devolves pretty quickly if I don't stick to a schedule.
  • Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call a coworker! A five minute call can accomplish thirty minutes worth of Slack messages.
  • My office feels like a family, so it can be lonely working from home. I make an effort to meet the coworkers I am closest to for lunch or social events so we can stay connected.
  • I have to find new ways to take breaks. At work, I might go get a cup of coffee and get five to ten minutes of socializing in while doing so. I have to find small activities I can do at home when I need a break.
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Cat

Greetings,

Great post, I especially agree with the having a separate place and the task list, both help a lot, to measure and control work time vs leasure time.

On the comment above, there are amazing tips also, but This is so important:
"Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call a coworker! A five-minute call can accomplish thirty minutes worth of Slack messages."

When people don't see what you are saying, misconceptions can happen, since writing does not give the sensation of mood, most of the times if you feel the conversation is being too confused or taking too long, or you already know it's a subject you guys don't agree, do a call!

Ty
BR

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Danila Petrova

I absolutely agree with this. If I have a lot to discuss with a colleague, I tend to outline it in an email and then call to discuss it. This gives the call structure - doesn't let me forget something important. And later on, if I wonder on what we agreed upon once read the email/agenda I am quickly reminded.

I also try to add notes on things we settled on since I am managing various types of tasks so they can be easily mixed up if not tracked properly.

Thank you for adding to the discussion! I am really glad you found something helpful in the article and in the comments!

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Danila Petrova

Awesome tips!

Thank you so much for adding them to the topic. Everyone could benefit from them!

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Daniel Marlow

The best way I've found of remaining focused is The Pomodoro Technique. I break work into intervals with a timer.

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Marlon Decosta

Pomodoro clocks, good note taking, I used to pay these 'easy' things little mind. I'd write 'fake notes' -- just enough to tell myself I did. I'd think, 'If I'm in the zone, why allow a stupid timer to disrupt that?' Shocker, if you're in the zone, the stupid timer won't disrupt you. That said, it's a great way to structure your time, give your brain a moment to digest the work done in the previous session -- reflect. I find these easy things invaluable.

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Danila Petrova

I agree with you, and you always have the option to keep working through the timer. But you can also take it as a time you can take your eyes off and rest.

I know people who can't get started with work. I also know some who will work 8 hours straight staring at their computer screens with the absolute minimum bathroom and coffee breaks. Doing this can cause headaches, eyesight issues, neck and back pain, hand cramps and more.

So is it really that bad of a thing if you get interrupted every once in a while and reminded to take a break? Besides, you can customize the timer as you wish. My timer is set on a 45-minute work 15-minute break (which I do not always take). So there is a lot to this method that can be a cornerstone benefit for productivity balanced with healthy habits.

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Danila Petrova

I am glad you brought up Pomodoro! It is one of my all-time favourite methods, and I especially apply it in situations I am having a hard time focusing.

For people who aren't familiar with the method, I am leaving this article as a guide to get into it.

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Daniel Marlow