There has been an explosion in the numbers of people working from home as a result of the global pandemic and a shift in working attitudes as well but some people have found that it is not all plain sailing.
Without making use of the available technology such as remote file access you might find the experience of working from home more challenging than you envisaged.
Here is a look at some of those key challenges and some viable solutions.
Replicating the office experience
There are things you take for granted when working in a corporate setup that is brimming with all the tools and technology you need to do your job as efficiently as possible.
Working from home means you have to put the infrastructure in place to be able to replicate the resources you need.
In order to work at peak performance, it would be a good idea to install a decent internet connection and invest in the right software to be able to access files remotely and safely.
Help with managing your time
When you are outside of the structured environment of an office it can become more of a challenge to manage your time effectively. You will find that a good project management app could help you to achieve the right level of efficiency as it will be able to provide you with a useful overview of your tasks so that you can manage your time and organize your day like a pro.
Recognizing when to down tools
Another major challenge you might face when working from home is being able to switch off and create a distinction between your work and leisure time.
It is not a good idea to make yourself available at all hours of the day and night and it could have an impact on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Create boundaries and switch off your emails when you “leave the office” and enjoy some leisure time.
Lack of social interaction
Another aspect of office life you might take for granted is the chance to enjoy some regular chats with your colleagues over a cup of coffee.
Loneliness combined with a lack of human interaction can really take a toll on your wellbeing and is not conducive to performing at your best.
Try to arrange some co-working events to catch up with colleagues in person or at least talk to people via a facility like zoom as a way of replacing your usual social breaks.
Have a backup plan
When your computer screen goes blank or the network goes down at the office, a quick call to someone in IT can usually have you back up and running in no time.
It is not as straightforward when you are working from home, which is why you need to have a backup plan, such as a cell phone plan that gives you the option of tethering while you get your Wi-Fi fixed.
Don’t let technology get the better of you just because you are working from home.
As long as you are aware of these challenges you should be able to adapt well to your new surroundings.
