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Careers
Stuck in a working from home rut? Here’s how to refresh your routine
By Lauren Geall
3 years ago
4 min read
Three years on from the first national lockdown, we asked an expert how to make the most of working outside the office.
It’s hard to believe, but this week marks three years since the start of the UK’s first lockdown. A lot has changed since then, but one of the biggest changes has been the number of companies adopting a hybrid working arrangement.
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for businesses to allow employees to work from home for two, three or four days each week, with some only requiring employees to come into the office for big meetings or a set number of days each month.
For many of us, this shift has been transformative – so much so that it’s hard to imagine a time when we all went into the office five days a week. On top of offering the chance for a better work-life balance and more opportunities to keep on top of things at home (who hasn’t hung a wash out between meetings?) working from home has also allowed people to save money and time on unnecessary commutes.
In fact, a LinkedIn survey conducted last year found that a third (34%) of workers would quit their job if they were told to return to the office full-time, while a Microsoft study found that 87% of workers believe they are just as productive while working from home as they are in the office.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. The sudden shift to working from home that happened three years ago left many people scrambling to put together a WFH setup. And with the changing restrictions of the last few years making life unpredictable, finding and sticking to a good routine has been challenging.
So, as we look back on the last three years, now’s a great time to reassess your routine to make sure you’re getting the most out of your WFH setup. To find out more, we asked Charlotte Davies, a careers expert at LinkedIn, for her top tips to optimise your WFH experience. Here’s what she had to say.
How to refresh your working from home routine
Set a realistic to-do list
“Taking the time to adjust your to-do lists can make you much more productive,” Davies says. “Add time slots for completing each action to help manage expectations of yourself and your colleagues.”
Blocking out time in your day for ‘simple’ tasks like checking your emails, as well as short breaks, is also important to help you avoid burnout.
“The LinkedIn Learning platform has numerous free online courses to support time management, with Time Management Fundamentals providing a good base,” Davies adds.
Reassess your boundaries
“Working from home can blur the boundaries between work and your personal life, so ensure that you have healthy parameters in place to safeguard your time outside of your work,” Davies suggests.
“Set up ‘Do Not Disturb’ on work apps and limit notifications and access to emails outside of this time. Communicate this clearly with your colleagues, particularly if you work with teams that are based internationally.”
One way to do this is by putting your working hours on your email signature, so your colleagues have a clear expectation of when they will (and won’t) receive a response from you.
Re-evaluate your setup
“Ensure that you have the right environment and tools to focus and be productive,” Davies recommends.
“From limiting noise and distractions to giving your space a positive refresh, small tweaks to your working space could make a big difference.”
To get started, Davies suggests treating yourself to a new houseplant or moving your desk to somewhere with better light.
Take time out
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is saving the time you would usually use commuting to and from work, so make sure you use that time carefully.
“Whether you’re a parent who now has more freedom at lunchtime or you’ve got your evening back without the long commute, use this time to do something for you,” Davies recommends.
“Get outside for a walk, do a virtual yoga session or read your book while having your morning coffee. Making time to prioritise yourself, whether it’s in the morning, lunchtime or evening, will make you feel ready and productive for your work day ahead.”
Stay connected
“Working remotely can feel isolating, and it’s helpful to think about the best ways to stay connected,” Davies says. “This year, almost one in five (17%) are planning to make more of an effort with colleagues, which is often a challenge when working from home.”
Putting time aside in your daily schedule to communicate with your colleagues will not only help you to feel more connected, but could also support your career progression.
“Where possible, attend in-person catch ups and socialise with your colleagues,” Davies suggests. “We’ve seen many LinkedIn members check in with their online network and share advice on how to stay connected – such as having a daily virtual coffee to meet new people and exchange thoughts and ideas.”
Images: Getty
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