The situation we’re currently facing is unique in so many ways and has changed our lives more than we could have imagined. One of the biggest things most of us have had to adapt to is working from home. Many of us have moved our offices into our homes, safely away from our colleagues so we can all do our bit to flatten the curve.
It’s a big adjustment, working from home. As real estate agents we tend to work long hours and take our work home with us, so we’re accustomed to the ups and downs of having a home office (even though most of our time is spent at the beautiful Harcourts Beyond office!)
We know how to stay productive working from home, so thought we’d put down a few pointers that might help you in the weeks ahead. Think of it as your Henry Wong Team® ‘Work from Home Survival Guide’!
Routine
It’s really important that you have a work schedule that you stick to and that everyone in the household respects. Many of you, like Henry, will have kids at home, so you’re going to have a lot on your plate with keeping the kids happy during lockdown as well as staying productive yourself. The way to stay on top of it is to have routines that everyone adheres to as much as possible. This gives you control of your day and the ability to structure your workload and your family responsibilities.
Flexibility
Although a routine is important, we all need to accept that our schedules are going to be affected significantly whether we’re employees or employers. So be prepared to pick up the slack in the evenings or wake up early and work. Sometimes, if your kid is having a meltdown, you’re just going to have to drop the work for a while and make sure they’re ok. The new working day will likely be a bit more erratic as we settle into this unchartered territory, so be forgiving on yourself and on your team.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to factor travel time into your working day. This gives you extra time to add into your schedule to focus on being productive. Use it wisely.
Exercise to Help You Stay Productive Working from Home
Being stuck at home the whole day is going to be stressful, and exercise is an amazing stress buster. Gyms are closed now, so if that was the place where you got your blood pumping and forgot about your troubles, you’re going to have to adapt. A lot of personal trainers or yoga instructors have moved their sessions online, so you can make a bit of space on your veranda or in your lounge and do an online workout.
Whatever form of exercise you prefer, make sure you incorporate it into your daily schedule. It’ll help relieve the stress and focus your mindset on productivity.
Communicate with your Team and Colleagues
Regular communication with your workmates is essential over this time. It helps you stay in touch with your common purpose, as well as creating connection and kinship. Collaborating on projects together doesn’t have to suffer thanks to the amazing tech tools available now, so keep the channels of communication open and you will remain as productive as ever before.
Communicate with your Friends and Family
Just as it’s important to stay in touch with team mates, its equally important to regularly communicate with friends and family. Everyone will be going through tough times, and the ability to share your stories, unload your problems or hear the problems of people you care about will give you a sense of belonging and purpose. You don’t want to feel isolated and cut off from the world, that will really start affecting your productivity and your frame of mind.
Workspace
Not everyone has a separate office in their house. If that’s the case in your home, we’d suggest setting up an area that becomes your office. A committed workspace that the family understands needs to be a quiet and respected spot will help you get in the right frame of mind to be productive in your home office situation.
Technology
If you’re going to make working from home a success, you need to be equipped with technology that doesn’t let you down. You need a robust and reliable desktop or laptop and webcam. You’re going to be on phone and video calls a lot, so we’d recommend a microphone headset. Get a decent quality one, it’s an investment you’ll never regret.
You’re also going to need an adequate internet connection, with enough downloads to deal with excessive video chat and work downloads and uploads. An ‘unlimited’ download plan is ideal.
Comfort
Look after your body. Don’t think you’ll be able to work long hours in that straight-backed dining room chair. Your back won’t thank you for that. Get a comfortable office chair, or even one of the stand-up desks.
Take regular breaks, stand up and walk around every now and then. Keep the blood flowing. We like to go for a walk around when we’re on a phone call. It’s a good way of maximising your time and increasing productivity.
So there you have it. We hope above all that everyone is staying safe and healthy during these times. Make the most of spending time with your family, and hopefully from this blog post you can see that your productivity doesn’t have to suffer as a result.
If you have any questions about real estate or how to stay productive working fro home, please get in touch with the Henry Wong Team®. We’d love to about real estate in general and on the Brisbane southside in particular! Chat soon.
