Got screaming kids or barking dogs at home? Distractions everywhere and you're always losing focus? Many people have been working from home since the beginning of this Covid-19 pandemic. If you are relocating for work during this pandemic, you may not be working in the office right away after you arrive, but working from home instead. We understand it's very easy to lose focus in such an environment. In this post, we came up with a list of 7 tips to help you boost your productivity while working from home!
Set a schedule
Arrange a schedule for the tasks you have to do each day and stick to it. Having a timeline can help you focus on one task at each time. This way you can just focus on the task you're working on and not have to worry about other tasks, which can increase productivity. You can take advantage of the stopwatch on your phone. Simply start the stopwatch when you start working and just hit "lap" when you finish each task. It will keep track of the time you spent on each task and help you stick to your schedule better.
Take breaks
While you want to be productive and stick to your schedule, make sure you take breaks. Find out your company's break policy and schedule your breaks. If you are self-employed, give yourself enough time to rest. That usually means two 15 minutes break and a lunch break. Taking breaks can let your brain refresh and get some new ideas. Get off the screen and go for a walk, play with your kids, or even follow a short workout!
Set ground rules
Set clear ground rules and make sure everyone in your home or who share the same space with you are aware of these rules. This is important as you want the least distraction possible when you're working. You may have kids and you don't want them to disturb you when you're working. Or you may want them to lower their voices so you can focus, especially when you have a meeting, you don't want to have screaming kids in the background. Though, make sure you discuss with your family or whoever living with you before setting the rules so everyone has a common understanding.
Ask for what you need
Depending on your job, it may require special equipment like a specific monitor or software, or even just things that would help you better do your job such as an ergonomic. It is critical to ask your employer for what you need so you have the tools necessary to complete your tasks. While it doesn't mean you'll get them for sure, it never hurts to ask. Your company wants to support you so you can complete your work more efficiently as well.
Attend meetings
Attending your team meetings can not only let you catch up on recent events and changes in your company but also makes your presence known. Speak up in the meeting and present thoughtful points to stay engaged in the conversation. Collaboration can bring forth some great ideas that you may not have thought of by yourself. Utilize these opportunities to share creative ideas and connect with your colleagues.
Workspace
If you are relocating for work and are looking for temporary housing, or simply just want to work at a quiet place away from your kids, come stay with us at Avalon! We offer fast wifi for free! All our premium suites at Avalon are fully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and all the amenities you need. Our suites have 2x more space than your average hotel room and you get the entire place to yourself. We have a variety of suite options ranging from studios to 2 bedroom suites so you can definitely find one that accommodates your needs. We even have a washer/dryer in all our suites. With all these features, staying in any of our suites will definitely make you feel at home. We're located in the heart of Toronto's most upscale neighbourhood at the corner of Yorkville & Avenue Rd. The best thing is, we offer special rates to guests who are here for relocation! Contact us at 416.731.1372 to learn more about our suites and rates!
Eat
Many people forget to eat when they're busy with work, especially now that they are working from home. It's very easy to lose track of time, however, it is important to eat regularly as this is how you get your energy to be more productive. One of the best things about staying in our premium suites at Avalon is that we are surrounded by a variety of restaurants. We’re located in the Yorkville area, right in the heart of downtown Toronto so you will definitely find a restaurant you like. Just pick-up food from your favourite restaurants or simply have it delivered right to your door and eat in the comfort of your own suite at Avalon!
It's been a difficult year and many of you have been working from home since the beginning of this Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully the tips from this post can help you stay productive while working from home. Whether you want to work somewhere quiet outside of your home to freshen up your brain, or you're relocating to Toronto and are looking for temporary housing to stay in and work from home after arriving, Avalon can fulfill all your needs. For more information, contact us at 416.731.1372 to learn more about our suites and rates.