Top 6 Ways To Improve Your Workflow In Your Home Office
There are numerous advantages to working at home. For example, you no longer have a commute, eating healthy lunches is easier, and you can spend more time with your family. Unfortunately, those benefits come with a downside for many workers — interruptions to work that lead to lower productivity.
Fortunately, there are many ways to counter this problem. Before you upload your virtual office background to log into another meeting, consider these six strategies to improve workflow in your home office.
1. Reduce Clutter
For many people, an organized desk is the first step to an organized workflow, so take the time to clear clutter and create a space that fosters productivity. Since the key to success often hinges on maintaining this new, neater space, you’ll want to institute storage strategies that support it. Some suggestions to get you started on the right foot include:
- Have a dedicated space for each piece of office equipment
- Store less-frequently used supplies out of sight
- Use storage containers and cabinets to keep small items organized
- Keep personal things — laundry, hobby projects, shopping lists, etc. — out of your home office whenever possible
2. Getting Set Up For Meetings
Virtual meetings can be productive if approached positively. Start by preparing for every meeting just like you would if you were in the office. For example, have notes and material ready and accessible and eat before (instead of during) the session.
It also helps to create a professional appearance. Instead of risking getting caught in your gym clothes, always be ready by downloading a Zoom office background free online. That way, you’ll always have it ready to project a professional image in business meetings.
3. Avoid Multitasking
No matter how great you think you are, multitasking is not a successful work strategy. The human mind is simply not equipped for multitasking. Instead, what you think of as doing multiple things simultaneously is really switching rapidly between tasks. It often results in decreased quality of the finished product. Stick to one thing at a time and focus on it as completely as possible.
4. Prioritize Critical Tasks
Take a look at your to-do list when you walk into your home office each day. Then, break your tasks into groups based on their importance. This lets you know what must be done and what can get pushed into tomorrow if necessary.
5. Make the Most of Collaborative Tools
The number of collaborative tools for remote workers has exploded in recent years. Use them to make working from home easier. Familiarize yourself with several messaging and task management programs and take advantage of a zoom background with logo to get a professional appearance.
6. Schedule Breaks
Be sure to allow yourself some time for breaks. Pressure to perform at home can be intense, but you are entitled to short breaks throughout your shift. Take them. Get up, walk around, do a short yoga sequence, or call a friend for five minutes. Your body and mind will thank you, and your workflow will improve.
Don’t fall victim to decreased productivity in your home office. Instead, keep things organized, prioritize daily tasks, and make the most of collaboration tools to improve your work-from-home workflow.
