How can I ensure productivity while working from home?
- Keeping the same office hours: Maintain the same work hours as you would if you were on-site. This helps in staying focused and productive.
- Negotiate modified work hours: If you have specific peak productivity times, discuss with your supervisor about adjusting your work hours accordingly for enhanced productivity.
- Establishing a dedicated workstation: Designate a specific area, ideally a spare room, as your home office. This physical separation helps in maintaining focus and productivity.
- Creating a schedule for children: If you have young children at home, establish a daily routine for them to understand your work schedule, allowing for smoother work hours.
What if I don’t have an extra room?
- If space is limited, set up a designated corner in your bedroom for a workspace with a door to create some separation.
- Dressing for work: Even if your regular attire is casual, dressing up as you would for the office helps signal a shift into work mode, increasing focus and productivity.
- Avoiding chores during work hours: Save chores that require more time for after work hours to prevent distractions and maintain productivity.
How can I maintain a sense of connection with my team while working remotely?
- Limiting email usage: While email is useful for sharing details, it can lack non-verbal cues, potentially leading to miscommunication. Avoid over-reliance on email.
- Utilizing interactive communication channels: Set up platforms like Skype, Zoom, Webex, Slack, or Google Hangouts for brainstorming, issue resolution, and celebrating successes.
- Scheduling regular video meetings: Establish consistent video meeting times, even for casual check-ins. Clearly communicate the purpose of each interaction to provide a sense of security and control for employees.
About the Author
As a Master Degree in Science in Project Management from the University of Québec , Richard is a dynamic bilingual professional with more than 25 years of progressively senior leadership experience in various industry sectors such as retail, construction, non-profit organizations, research and development, information technology and government. Richard holds various designation such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified International Project Manager (CIPM), Certified Master Project Manager (MPM) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Richard is also known as a reputable and knowledgeable instructor in project management in both English and in French in class and virtual.