Given how much the world has been changing, many people are working from home for the first time. Switching from being office-based to being location-independent can be challenging though, especially if it was a sudden development e.g. it being the only opportunity you got after resigning.
Being remote does have its advantages, such as skipping the commute and dress code. This also means the danger of becoming too comfortable with your place of work is all too real. There are countless bad habits you can pick up too.
Regardless of your role, the last thing you would want is to make the transition more complicated for yourself, your clients, or your colleagues. You don’t want to be that co-worker who can’t do their job without supervision or who creates trouble for others.
Avoid These Bad Habits When Working from Home
Having videos as background noise
Who doesn’t enjoy watching movies or television shows in their free time? The problem is when it makes its way into your working time. Tempting as it may be to have Netflix shows as background noise, it’s distracting even if you’re good at entering the zone.
The same goes for audio books, podcasts, and music but videos are especially intrusive. You’re more likely to finish tasks faster when your attention isn’t diverted by something with visuals and words. It’s better to go out for a quick walk around your yard if you need a break.
Working from a cafe
Coffeehouses are often the workplace of choice for virtual employees. There’s free WiFi and coffee refills for members as well as opportunities to socialize. It’s just that Starbucks and other cafes encourage sitting for hours on end. Their drinks are packed with sugar and calories too.
Some places offer meals so there’s no need for you to go elsewhere for lunch or dinner. Thus, there are fewer opportunities to burn those calories. Their food choices usually comprise of pasta or burgers so they aren’t the healthiest options around either. Find a co-working space instead.
Having too much flexibility
When you’re location-independent, it’s easy to say, “I’ll sleep in this morning and work later in the evening.” or “I’ll finish some tasks in advance over the weekend since I have no plans to go out anyway.” This, however, will only mess up with your work-life balance.
There’s nothing wrong with ensuring you get at least 6 hours of sleep at night or going beyond your quota. However, this can stress you out in the long run. So, begin to create a more structured routine where your work and non-work hours are clearly marked in advance.
Chowing on junk food
We get it, potato chips and cookies are delicious. They’re convenient for when you want to have a small snack before a video call or that next task. The thing is, most people have bad self-control when it comes to eating junk food while working.
The easiest solution is to remove these choices altogether. Stop buying those Doritos or Oreos when you’re shopping for groceries and replace them with healthier alternatives. Slice some carrots and cucumbers beforehand and stock some hummus as dip, for instance.
Sitting all day long
The sedentary lifestyle is something you may be familiar with, especially at work. Sitting for too long can be harmful for your health, however. It doesn’t just contribute to your muffin top but also increases your blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Consider following a Pomodoro schedule where you break down your tasks into timed intervals spaced out by short breaks. It’s also a good idea to invest in a standing desk. If you cannot afford one, place a box on top of a table to bring your computer to standing height.
Staying in the bedroom
Putting your desk right beside your bed saves time since you can easily slide into your chair in the morning. Not physically separating your work from life is distracting though. You’ll find yourself looking at your laundry and wonder when you should do it, among other things.
It’s important to have an exclusive area just for working, even if you live in a studio apartment with an open plan. Take note of the 7 basics you need to create the perfect home office and how to make your space ergonomic to maximise it and keep yourself productive.
Being too disconnected
It makes sense to cut yourself off from all distractions when you want to get work done. Be careful that you aren’t also cutting yourself off from interacting with other people while you’re at it. Human interaction remains essential, even if it’s not directly related to your job.
Isolating yourself contributes to feelings of anxiety and depression, which makes you less productive in the long run. Go to a co-working space on some days or make sure that you eat your meals with your housemates at the very least. Update friends throughout the day to stave off boredom.
Neglecting personal hygiene
It’s completely fine to wash your face after you’ve checked your emails or brush your teeth after logging in to work. You can take a shower during your lunch break too. What’s not allowed is going for days without taking a bath or changing your clothes.
You’d be surprised to learn how much gunk can build up on your skin and clothing over the course of a day. This can be harmful to your health. Also, dressing up as a couch potato can affect your mood and mental health. So, shower and get changed regularly.
Being too hard on yourself
Set yourself to a high standard but don’t do so everyday. Some days or weeks will be hyper-productive while others will be a struggle. You’ll always have an off day since you’re only human—you don’t have to be guilty about this!
Don’t beat yourself up for days when you can’t get through your inbox before noon. Allow yourself time to recharge or be distracted. The important thing is that you can bounce back and learn from these less productive times. Motivate yourself to turn your failures into successes.
Develop the Right Habits
It’s easy to fall into rabbit holes when you’re working from home so be mindful that they don’t turn into habits. If you notice that you’re starting to develop bad behaviour, nip it in the bud and find alternatives that keep you productive and happy.
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