Working from home is great, but sometimes the freedom working remotely gives you can be a bit of a double-edged sword. If you need more structure in your life, it’s easy to do nothing but watch YouTube videos all day. Or worse yet: wasting time on social media or email. If this sounds like you, try these five tips to become a more productive hybrid worker:
Get organized
As a hybrid worker, you must have a place to work and store your files. If you’re like most people, this can be tough because you often need access to your physical tools while you are working (and sometimes even when you are not).
When it comes to getting organized, two main things will help:
1) having a dedicated workspace.
2) keeping everything nice and neat so everything is easy to find.
Make the most of your commuting time
As a hybrid worker, you’re probably not spending as much time commuting to and from the office as your 9-5 counterparts. That means that you can use this time more effectively. How? -By thinking about how you want the rest of the day to go and make a plan for it.
For example, if you know that your afternoon is going to be busy with meetings and calls, spend some time planning while you commute regarding what needs to happen in each meeting so that when they do roll around, you have all the information at hand and can present it confidently.
Take frequent breaks
Taking frequent breaks is one of the best ways to keep yourself productive throughout the day. A number of studies have shown how taking breaks makes you more productive in the long run.
Stay connected to your colleagues
While the advantages of remote work are numerous, some tasks can only be accomplished if your entire team is present. To avoid feeling disconnected from your colleagues, try using a VPN or private messaging app to keep in touch with them. If you need to collaborate on documents and other files, use a cloud-based collaborative tool such as Dropbox Paper or Google Docs.
Don’t neglect your work-life balance
It’s important to know your limits and be aware of your work-life balance. Make sure you have time to relax every day. Take regular breaks from the screen, even if it’s only for 20 minutes. When you’re not working on a project or in front of a computer, take some time off from thinking about work as well; focus on other things that interest or inspire you (e.g., reading a book or learning an instrument).
Don’t forget to socialize with friends or pursue other interests outside of work: exercise regularly (even if it’s just going for a walk), sing karaoke at local bars or restaurants once in a while (it’s also good practice!), go out dancing when possible, etc.
Adobe Acrobat professionals say, “Research shows that employees adopt waste practices that are sustainable and recycle much more when they work from home.”
Becoming a more productive hybrid worker can be challenging, but it’s possible. With some planning and organization, you can make it happen. Hybrid workers are always on the move, and finding new ways to be productive is crucial to ensuring that your job gets done and that your clients come first.
