More companies consider working from home jobs even after COViD-19 Crisis, would you?
The option to work from home is usually considered a privilege, but during the COVID 19 crisis, it's become a necessity. I find myself love working from home. There are plenty of benefits of working from home. It saves me near 2 hours commute time. I can decorate my workspace the way I like about it. I can have the luxury to cook homemade healthy meals daily. I feel less stressed and more focused on things with fewer distractions around. I can have a small talk over the phone without concerning my laughter or voice disturbing other colleagues. If this is during normal circumstances, I can imagine the benefits will continue adds up. I can walk to the park after work before sunset. I can have more spare time to visit my friends and family.
It's, therefore, encouraging to see that 57% of employers say they'd consider changing their work-from-home policies on a longer-term basis if that arrangement proves productive during the current crisis, according to a recent Monster poll. And while it doesn't soften the blow of COVID-19 by any means, it could be one thing for workers to potentially look forward to once things get back to normal.
I would like to share some tips I feel particularly helpful in achieving success in working from home
1. Update your to-do list every morning
When working from home and you don’t have a boss breathing down your neck, it can be challenging to keep track of what you have to do throughout your workday. It’s easy to lose sight of priorities, tasks, and deadlines. Or sometimes you just simply forget.
Start your day by reviewing priorities for the day. When you make your task list, stick to it. It’s tempting to just leap into your email, but with a little extra focus, you can move the needle while working from home.
I usually use the TO- DO list function in Microsoft Outlook
Set goals and time limits for each task. After you complete each task, cross it off the list. This simple technique is both effective and fulfilling.
2. Use video chat collaboration is important
Yes, the video conference—the hallmark of remote work.
If this is a quick meeting about work, I think the Microsoft TeamViewer or Google Hangout is a great tool. You can share documents, screen sharing with team members, ( especially needed if you need to give demonstration), brainstorm ideas, and edit group calendars, etc.
If this is a casual meeting, Zoom is very popular now. If you are shy to showcase your bedroom background, you can choose a virtual background as a cover-up.
Video chat is a great way to stay connected with your team and have a little fun.
3. Check-in with your direct manager regularly to build a trusted relationship
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Some managers take their distrust of off-site employees to truly absurd levels. Once i learned that a company manager who insists on watching remote workers by video while they’re at home. yeah, for real, micromanagement.
This can be fixed by putting more efforts from both employer and employee. Managers who set clear goals for what employees should accomplish in a given time period don’t need to be suspicious of what remote workers are really spending their time on. On the other hand, employees should report to the manager whatever project they are working on regularly. Keep constant communications is more important than the outcome, at least it shows you are working on it.
4. Assume positive content
One limitation of working from home is that team chat messaging or email sometimes falls short of expressing ideas clearly. It’s easy to think a quick remark was made to be rude or even flippant.
Remind yourself not to take seemingly short or snide responses offensively. For some team members, they are just efficient in their replies. Like I have seen a short email with one sentence "please pay. " My first instinct is like " why do I have to do what you ask me to do? Who do you think you are? " Turn around I think she doesn't really mean that. So consider using emoji to support your intent in your declarations with your team. I think this is very important.
Besides the above 4 tips, develop a regular routine. eat healthily, exercise regularly, and build up the boundary between workspace and personal living space are very important parts of keep working from home more productive and meaningful, On the side notes, I am very looking forward to Virtual Reality technology to be used in near future. That would enable more works to be done remotely.
Right now, the idea of working from home long term may not appeal to everyone. Some people are learning the hard way that working from home can be a frustrating, isolating t if e, experience but if you like working from home, please share your experience and tips with me so we can embrace this new trend in the future