Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in the UK in early 2020, many of us have been working from home more or less continuously. Over the past year, we might have gotten a bit better at working from home, but it was only expected to be a short-term solution.
However, with restrictions yet to fully ease over a year later, and with almost one in four workers wanting to work from home forever, one thing for sure is that working from home is here to stay – at least for now.
So, if you have found that you aren’t one of the Britons working from home who spend more time on the job than before, and instead find yourself getting side-tracked, here are 5 ways to avoid getting distracted when working from home.
- Stick to your familiar routine
Whilst you are at home, it can be very tempting to do things around the house such as housework, cooking, watering the plants or even having a bit of a lie-in. However, as tempting as all of this is, working from home is easier when you try to stick to the same routine you had in the office.
Admittedly, you won’t have to commute to the office, so you may be able to allow yourself an extra 5 minutes in bed! However, if you work 9-5 in the office, you should work 9-5 at home, too. It does go both ways; for example, if you get an hour’s break for lunch in the office, make sure you take the full hour’s break when you are at home.
- Get dressed
Throughout the pandemic, we have all seen the innumerable memes of people on video calls only dressed from the waist up! As comfortable as your pajamas are, they are clothing which you associate with relaxation, so it is important to get dressed.
Now, this does not mean you have to wear a full suit or heels like you would to go into the office – just something which will help you differentiate between ‘bedtime’ and ‘worktime’.
- Use integrated unified communications software
Flicking between multiple devices, conflicting software and an endless number of internet browser tabs is always going to be frustrating – and it’s tempting to just give up and browse the net.
Instead, limit the amount you will be distracted by using integrated unified communications (UC) software. UC combines multiple communication channels into one user interface, meaning you don’t have to search around to get the answers you need, keeping you on track.
- Set clear boundaries
When you are working, let your family, friends, and flatmates know that you are not to be disturbed. Once you leave the office, this is your time to socialize and relax.
- Have a to-do list
Let’s be honest, though these tips can help to prevent your brain from wandering, we all get distracted every now and then. Therefore, it would be useful to have a to-do list. When you have a to-do list, you know exactly what it is you need to get done during that working day, allowing you to seamlessly pick up where you left off.
