After lockdown, remote working has become a standard across many industries and while it's proven to help productivity and the flexibility has a huge benefit for workers, finding ways to make it work well long-term often comes down to small changes that improve focus, comfort and balance.
Whether you're fully remote or splitting your time between home and the office, these practical tips can help you get the most out of your working day.
Create Clear Boundaries Between Work and Home
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is knowing when the workday actually ends. Without clear boundaries, it's easy to keep checking emails or finishing "just one more task" long after you should have switched off. Conversely, you may find yourself logging in later and staying later, slowly sliding your work day out of allignment with your office based colleagues and leading to more intrusive means of monitoring behaviour.
Setting consistent working hours, getting dressed for the day rather than working in pyjamas, and having a set place to work can all help you to get your head into the right space to know when you're in work mode and when you're not. Clear boundaries can help you to keep yourself efficient when working and relaxed when it's time for downtime.
Build a Routine That Works for You
One of the advantages of remote and hybrid working is the freedom to structure your day in a way that suits you best. Some people focus better early in the morning, while others hit their stride later in the day. Being able to avoid a commute does give some flexibility to adjust how you use your time, provided you also follow the first tip and make sure you retain the clear boundaries between work and home.
Creating a simple routine with set start times, breaks and a clear finish can help keep your day on track while also making the most of the flexibility you now have available. Regular breaks, even short ones, can improve concentration and reduce fatigue, helping you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.
Invest in a Comfortable, Dedicated Workspace
Your workspace plays a big role in how focused and motivated you feel. Working from the sofa or kitchen table might be fine occasionally, but it can quickly lead to distractions and discomfort, not to mention it won't always be available as other people will inevitably use the space on a day when you need to be working.
Properly marking out your workspace is a vital step in making your set-up work. With a comfortable chair, a proper desk and good lighting, you can help to guarantee you'll have a productive. This doesn't have to mean the space is solely for work, but having a dedicated area for work can make it easier to concentrate and mentally separate work time from home time. But if you do need a space that's completely split off, there are options even in a crowded home.
Consider a Garden Office for Extra Space and Focus
For those who don't have a spare room inside their house or really need to enforce the divide between work and rest, a garden office can be a practical solution. Positioned away from your main residence, it offers a quiet environment for you to really focus and get into your work.
A garden office also helps reinforce that separation between work and home. Walking out to work and back again at the end of the day creates a routine similar to a commute, without the travel time or costs. With natural light and views of your garden, you get to enjoy your own private work space, the convenience of being home and the beauty of nature.
Working from home or in a hybrid role offers flexibility, time savings and a better work-life balance but only if it's set up properly. Small changes, from improving your routine to creating a dedicated workspace, can make a big difference to how productive and enjoyable your working day feels.
By finding the right balance and environment, you can enjoy the benefits of modern working without letting work take over your home life.
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