In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many employees have been sent by employers to work remotely. This is due to a reduced risk of infection on public transport and in crowded places, which are offices, for example. There is a separate category of workers called independent or freelance. They are already accustomed to working from home, without any problems they are engaged in an independent organization of the work process. But for those who are accustomed to the usual routine, interacting with colleagues, it is extremely difficult to get used to children running around and the lack of necessary tools.
From this article, readers can find out the most effective recommendations. Do not despair because the modern world with its mobile communications and web access offers unlimited opportunities.
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Five Critical Steps
1. Workplace ergonomics
Here you have to be a bit selfish, grab yourself the best table and chair. Children's drawings can be decorated in the kitchen, but the best place to work is for the main family labor. Close unnecessary light sources, at dusk use an adjustable lamp with even lighting. Elbows should not hang from the table, otherwise the shoulders and shoulder girdle will be very sore. As you work at home, gradually adjust the settings, do not suffer inconvenience. It is not known how long the quarantine will last, and during this period you may have vision or back problems.
An ideal option would be to work in a separate room, but not everyone has such housing conditions. Draw the curtains and set up the screens, but having someone nearby shouldn't distract you.
2. Let's collect work tools
Everything you need should be on hand. Drawing accessories, related documentation, books, disks with computer programs. Any departure from the workplace can automatically distract you. None of the family members will think that a real labor process is currently taking place in the house. Less distraction is better. Pencils should be sharp, the phone charged and a glass of water, and preferably a bottle, should be nearby.
3. Productivity
Here it is necessary to break down the task into its components and then solve each of them in sequence. Here is an example of reflection:
“I almost did this step, it takes a little more and I can stand up. It's already done. I wonder what in the next part? I'll put it to work, then I'll leave. Or maybe make a small fragment to make it easier later? Yes, I will do it. »
So you might not notice eight hours of work. You must constantly be your own driving force. If you're tired, it's okay if you lie down during the day to regain strength.
4. Correct the psychological aspects
Psychologists constantly advise to praise and encourage yourself with exhausting homework. Homework done at 50%, and that's half. And 51% is already over half, then start the countdown. Do not call work boring, unpleasant or uninteresting, constantly complaining about a large amount. Promise yourself a reward at the end of the day, such as watching a movie, then enjoying it, repeating that you really deserve it. It is extremely difficult to assess your own contribution; ask someone in the family, wife, husband or adult child to do it.
5. Let's introduce an efficient work schedule
We must not break the old regime. If you are used to getting up at 7 a.m. to go to your usual place of work, do not lose this ability. It's easy to spoil yourself and then wake up closer to lunchtime. It will be extremely difficult to return to the usual system. It is necessary to precisely regulate the lunch break, as well as to accurately think over breaks and occupation for this time. You can water the flowers, look out the window, or do some exercise. But don't get distracted by movies or social media communication, it can last for hours.
It is advisable for each type of work to provide an approximate time of execution. This requires planning the next business day each evening. And even if it is not possible to go outside in quarantine conditions, you can use this time wisely. The time that is usually spent on the road can be +2 hours per day. And from this follows that in 4 days we have 8 hours of free time. In total, a five-day work week can be closed in three days, if the manager allows it.
The main stumbling blocks
Those who try to create a working atmosphere at home most often complain of a number of disadvantages. Consider how to most effectively overcome them:
Children and animals. You can explain everything to the child, but the cat lying on the keyboard cannot understand you so easily. You need to arrange a preventive conversation with the children. One of the best ways is to completely immerse yourself in loud favorite music with headphones on, then ignore your little ones' requests. In 3-5 days everyone will get used to this situation.
The temptation to go out for a smoke break or drink some tea. Here you will have to set yourself strict prohibitions, the smartphone timer will help you with this. Leaving before calls is prohibited. The lunch break can be organized for the whole family, and drinking coffee is easily transferred to the office.
Quickly tired. It is caused by laziness, an uncomfortable chair and monotonous work against the background of sounds at home. Headphones and music will also come in handy here.
A constant distraction on people walking nearby. Here it is better to use a screen or put a partition. Let it be even a piece of a large cardboard box, but moving objects should not fall into the field of vision.
Low work efficiency. To eliminate it, you need to compare the process in the office and at home, and then draw the appropriate conclusions. Lack of computer programs, uncomfortable chair. Is it possible that it's just a desire to watch your favorite videos? What can be done in 8 hours easily stretches to 12-14. These are questions to his own organization. If you have difficulty with this point, you need to question yourself, reprimand yourself inside, divide into a boss and a subordinate.
Incomparable advantage
When everything is organized, and the authorities no longer doubt the effectiveness of remote work, you can switch to a similar mode in an emergency. Outside of a pandemic, seasonal illness may occur, but experience will allow us to transition to a telework regime when needed.
In developed countries, the employer can send employees to the brink of work-from-home stress. Every dog is a lion in his house, as the famous saying goes.
Moreover, before starting to work in this mode, we do not suspect how disorganized each of us is. Self-discipline and respect for the rules will be useful, they will allow to intensify self-control. And this is a step towards your own business or the start of work as an independent specialist.
