We're over two and a half months into the coronavirus pandemic and are just now starting to see signs of life from businesses all over the country. Many companies have been forced to pivot their business models and adapt to the situation in order to survive. One of the biggest operational shifts is the gigantic uptick in the number of employees working from home.
Working remotely has been a hot topic since long before the coronavirus pandemic, and many large enterprises like Google, Twitter, and Amazon already had some sort of work-from-home policy in place. But now we see small and medium-sized companies making the shift to remote work strategies.
What does this mean for you?
It means that although you may be "returning" to work... you may be doing it from your home office. This means getting acclimated to a whole new way of life and increased importance on work-life balance.
Some Positives
• Less time commuting (1-2 hours per day)
• More flexible schedule
• Higher productivity (up to 13% according to Stanford University)
• More time with loved ones
Some Downsides
• Lack of in-person communication
• Easy access to your work means more time spent at your desk
• Maintaining a consistent schedule
• More complex team dynamic
Businesses are going to invest heavily in remote work technology and strategies throughout 2020; some will nail it, and some will have difficulties adapting. No matter which boat you are riding in, there are a few key lifestyle choices you can make to ensure a smooth transition and long-term productivity (and happiness) as you work from home.
#1 - Choose to Be Positive
Positivity goes a very long way! 3 months ago, many small and medium-sized businesses weren't structured to allow for remote work. Choosing to look at the positives will help you identify successful methods of working from home.
Don't be afraid to share tips and strategies with your management team and co-workers, you never know what might help someone be a better remote worker!
#2 - Make Healthy Decisions
As a remote worker, making healthy lifestyle choices is essential to your productivity and wellbeing. Instead of taking a break to pick up fast food or order carryout, turn your lunch break into a daily Health & Wellness routine.
Healthy foods provide increased energy, lower disease risk, and improved well-being. There are thousands of easy recipes you can make to ensure your body is getting healthy foods. Some popular WFH (Work From Home) foods include:
Greens Salad
Chicken
Canned Tuna
Mixed Vegetables
Fruit Salad
Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.
A solid diet is only half the battle when it comes to maintaining a healthy remote-work lifestyle. Exercise is incredibly important when it comes to stress relief, productivity, and energy! Use your lunch break to squeeze in a quick at-home workout or walk around the block.
Many at-home workers find it difficult to detach from the work because it's so easily accessible. Getting on a consistent exercise routine will give your brain the break it deserves. Some popular at-home workouts include:
Jumping Jacks
Bodyweight Squats
Lunges
Sit-ups
Push Ups
Walk Around the Block
15-30min Jog or Bike Ride
#3 - Making It A Routine
There are many different options out there that can help you lead a productive work-from-home lifestyle. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there will be some trial and error as you search for what works best for you.
The important part of it all is that when you do find what works, you need to make it a routine!
Humans are inherently creatures of habit, and to build a successful routine you have to work hard to stay consistent. According to research, it can take over 2 months to build a new habit, so don't expect your new remote work strategy to work immediately.
As always, stay positive, work hard, and always keep an open mind. The past few months have fundamentally changed how we work, play, and do business, but if you stay focused you can minimize the shock of a new routine and develop some awesome methods to stay focused, stay healthy, and stay productive.
Daniel Marr is a Marketing Strategist and Director of Business Development for NWPC Marketing Solutions, a team of marketing experts dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and BOOST your brand! Our awesome team strives to build effective marketing strategies by working side-by-side with businesses as advisors and consultants.
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