How to Keep Working From Home Professional
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Working from home is becoming more and more common nowadays. The Covid-19 pandemic saw many people and businesses trying out remote work, with many finding it was beneficial for both parties and sticking to it permanently since! Hopefully, some of the information below will help you to adjust well to this change, keeping things professional from the comfort of your own home!
Maintain a Morning Routine
It can be easy to fall out of a morning routine when you’re working from home. When you work from an office, you have no choice but to get up and ready in time to head to your commute and to be seen publicly. However, when you work from home, it can be tempting to roll out of bed straight onto a call. This isn’t healthy and you should do your best to still get up well in advance of your start time. You should still shower, do your hair, get ready and look presentable by the time your workday starts. Also, make time for breakfast, as this can boost productivity.
Have a Work from Home Wardrobe
Working from home tends to see you working in a more laid-back environment. Many workplaces do not require you to wear office wear when working from home. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be signing into your calls in pajamas, loungewear, or tracksuits. Instead, you still need to maintain a professional presence, even if your working clothes are more casual. Browse options at Paisley Grace Boutique to hit the perfect balance between comfortable and professional.
Dedicate a Space to Your Work
You should have a dedicated workspace in your home. Ideally, this would be a home office, but a desk in a shared space, a dining table as a desk, or any other surface should work fine. Where possible, invest in ergonomic equipment to support your posture and overall wellbeing. Set strict boundaries regarding when people can talk to you and when people need to leave you to focus.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Sure, there might not be someone hovering over your shoulder, making sure that you’re working from nine to five when you work from home. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to disappear and be unaccounted for without many people noticing. But you do need to hold yourself accountable while working from home and to ensure that you’re still hitting your deadlines and contracted working hours. It’s only you who will lose out if you do slack. At the end of the day, you still have KPIs and targets to meet and if your performance starts to slip, your manager or others around you will notice. You can experience consequences as a result. Instead, make sure that you are doing your work, as agreed, and submitting everything on time. Be communicative with your team and make sure to be present.
These simple steps should help you on your journey to keeping things professional while working from home. Give them a try and see how it goes!
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.
