Staying Connected and Productive While working from home
Many of us are used to working from home and have navigated the technology and self discipline required. But what about those of you who’s offices are shut down in the wake of stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19? How will your employees stay connected and productive while working from home, outside of the office setting? Here are a few tools and tips to keep moving forward while adhering to social distancing policies.
The Remote Workers’ Toolkit: 30+ Productivity Apps and Tools to Help You work Smarter, Not Harder (BY MELANIE PINOLA – LAST UPDATED APRIL 1, 2019 ) Providing an in-depth look into many of the tools to use and below is a sample:
- Slack: Team communication
- TeamViewer: Remote Access Tools
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- Screenleap: Screen sharing
- Google Hangouts: Chat and Video Calls
- Zoom: Up to 100 attendees for Video Conferencing
- Basecamp: Project Management Tools
- Asana: Team project management with chat and calendars
- Dropbox: File Sharing
- G-suite: Calendar and file sharing
Staying on task can pose a challenge with the entire family at home with businesses and schools closed to stop the spread of Covid-19. This brings about it’s own challenges to working at home! How do you keep productivity up while Junior and Fido rough-housing in the living room?
- Privacy: this seems daunting, but is the best way to ease distractions. Set up your desktop or laptop in an “off limits” area of the house. Shut the door, turn on light background music and get to work.
- Be Consistent: keep your usual sleep and bed time, take off the PJ’s and brush your teeth! There is a temptation to sleep in and hang out in spandex all day, but how you dress affects your mood and modus operandi. Keep it up!
- Change in Schedule: counter to the tip above, consider working hours while the other 2 or 4 legged ones are asleep. Yes, you need your rest, but perhaps a midday nap while another adult manages the kids would be easier than focusing on work.
- Planned Activities: to keep the kiddos active look for age appropriate projects from 20 minutes to an hour (if you are lucky) to keep kids engaged so you can focus.
- Take Turns: should you be able to, perhaps trade off time with another adult on who’s working and who’s watching.
- Chatting: text and video chats with co-workers is a great way to keep the team unity and your focus. Reminder….keep the door closed so little Superman doesn’t make a cameo!
- Enjoy a Moment: close your eyes, even if only a few seconds here and there, to breath deep and think happy thoughts.
- Go for a walk: this is the best way to stay awake, alert and recharge!
This is a unique time with so many businesses closed. Count your blessing to be able to work from home when so many others cannot. Should you find yourself on a paid leave with time on your hands, consider volunteering your time!