It’s no surprise that many people enjoy working from home. It’s nice to avoid time spent in traffic and, of course, who doesn’t love wearing sweatpants at work. However, a study done on the work-from-home experience says that only around 20% of people in the United States want to say goodbye to the office forever, with most people preferring both work-from-home and office time if they had the choice. There are benefits and downsides to both situations, and with the current trends of the pandemic, it seems as though we will be working from home a bit longer. So, with that being said, let’s get into some things you do can to make working at home effective and fun.

1. Make a to-do list and thoroughly identify everything that needs to get done.

This may seem obvious to some of you, but important nonetheless. Having a written plan will help you stay organized and focused throughout the day and will give you a feeling of accomplishment when things get done.

2. Get dressed.

Keep a regular routine of showering and getting dressed. This will help your home office routine feel more like your work office, and can help get you in the right mindset for a productive, accomplished day.

3. Set boundaries with friends and family.

While working from home, don’t let visitors stop by to chat. Create a “stoplight” system for family members such as a red piece of paper on the door signifying that you are unable to talk, or a green piece of paper for when you might have some time to help out. This is especially useful with young children.

4. Invest in creating a comfortable office space.

When we first started working from home, many of us did not assume that we’d still be here, all the way into Fall and are likely to continue further into the future. It’s time to invest in your space.Your productivity may go way up with a comfy chair, nice light, and some decorations that you enjoy.

5. Be clear about your working hours.

Having a set routine is essential for the most productive work days.

6. Don’t go to non-work appointments in the middle of the day.

Try and make doctors and dentist appointments as you would when you went to the office. This helps keep your work hours clear and routine so that you can minimize interruptions at work.

7. Get some sunshine.

Being exposed to some daylight can help you sleep better, will make you less stressed, and more active during the day. If you can, set up your home office near a window. When you used to commute to work, you might’ve been exposed to at least a little sunlight on the way. Try and get out for a walk around the block before sitting down to work and take 10 minute breaks throughout the day to get some fresh air and feel the sun on your skin. Your dog will thank you because, of course, you’re going to bring them.

8. Green your workspace.

One simple and fun thing to make your workspace more joyful is to add plants. Not only do they look nice, they can reduce stress and restore concentration abilities upon appreciation and through air cleansing.

9. Listen to music.

Have a small speaker on with some background music, or, turn it up when you’re feeling motivated and fun. If you don’t already have a music streaming service, invest in one. Sometimes working from home can become a little too quiet, and music can help make the home work-life a little more enjoyable.

10. Remember to stay connected with coworkers.

Oftentimes we have coworkers who we really only see at work, but enjoy those break time conversations and small-talk on the job. Make sure you reach out to coworkers to see how they’re doing, or ask them how they’ve enjoyed working from home. They might even have some tips for you! Staying connected with coworkers helps you to hold a sense of community within your company.

Sources: https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/get-more-done-18-tips-for-telecommuters.html

https://fairygodboss.com/articles/9-ways-to-make-working-from-home-more-enjoyable