You have a productive remote workspace already set up. You may have put together your home office last year – or you may have been working remotely for the past decade.
Either way, you likely have a home office set up that has been working for you.
The question is, are you set up effectively to ensure the highest level of production during your work time?
Creating a Productive Remote Workspace
Not every home office is created equally – not every home has an ideal space for an office. However, there is a way to create an uninterrupted workflow that will ensure that you squeeze the most out of your day.
Here are five tools you can use to upgrade your remote workspace so that you can do the most with the time you have:
1. Set up systems for your workflow
Many of us use project management systems, kanban boards, messaging platforms, calendaring and more to manage our workflow. Sometimes, all of the tools and technology that we use can seem counterproductive – rather than helpful. On the other hand, having no system can create widespread confusion and disarray around your company.
The key is to hit a middle ground where systems are used effectively to increase productivity while also supporting the needs of you and your employees.
When working from home, systems become even more critical for keeping the whole team on the same page. So, if you have a system to manage your workflow, re-examine it.
Ask yourself:
- What needs are being met?
- What needs are not being met?
- How can you utilize the system or create a new approach to ensure your workday is as smooth and productive as possible?
If the task of modifying or building a business system seems daunting – we are here to help! Contact Business Success Consulting Group today for a free initial consult.
2. Create a decluttering routine
Our spring cleaning article goes over what to do as you declutter for spring. However, what about the rest of the year? Workspace clutter can clog up your system, making it difficult to use and – indeed – making the workspace itself impossible to navigate.
Here’s the solution: At the end of every day or week, set aside some decluttering time. This could include anything from ensuring all of your computer files are in the right place and have a searchable naming convention to physically putting away the materials you need to do your job.
You can make this decluttering routine even more efficient by setting up a process. Creating a roadmap for getting your cleaning done will ensure that every day or week begins with a clean workspace.
3. Give yourself planning time
Most people create a “to-do” list at the beginning or end of the workday to ensure they carry out essential tasks. However, when you work from home, another aspect of “to-dos” seeps into the workday. These are tasks that need to be completed around the house.
When you don’t create a task list for actions to complete around the home as well as activities to complete at work, your remote work life gets interrupted by your home life – and vice versa. This can throw off your work/life balance and ruin your day.
However, the solution is simple! Create two daily and weekly plans. One for work and one for home. You can even use the same planning software, kanban boards, or project management system for your home life as you do your workday.
Laying out the actions that need to be done helps to ensure that they will get done. Additionally, you won’t feel as rushed to complete chores “while you remember them.” You have written them down and created a plan, so you certainly will remember to do them.
4. Leave the house on your break
Taking breaks during the workday is a great way to re-energize. However, if your “break” is simply rushing to the kitchen to refill your coffee mug or rushing around the house doing chores, then it is not a break.
Instead, get outdoors and take a device-free walk for five minutes. Even if you can’t get in a walk, step outside and read a book or sit on the porch with your coffee.
You are indoors, in your house, for so many hours of the day. Give yourself a real break and get out of the house.
5. Use flex hours to your advantage
A 9 AM to 5 PM schedule may work in the office, but those hours may not be optimal for getting focussed work completed at home. Think about the hours of the day when you are most productive and try working at those times.
For example, if you are an early riser, schedule your most focused work between 5 AM and 8 AM, then block out your calendar accordingly to protect your 8-hour workday.
While you may need to be available for meetings at particular times of the day, it’s also important that you have the time and space to focus. Since you are at home, you may as well schedule that concentrated time to meet your particular inclinations.
Are you ready to increase productivity in your business? Contact Business Success Consulting Group today! We are here to help you and your company become more efficient and stable as it grows.