Since PCs and the internet have allowed us to perform tasks and duties from home, we have discovered a “new” way of working that is much more flexible and adaptable. However, this does not mean it is simple. Working from home requires a strong will and a greater sense of responsibility compared to working in an office.
What are the golden rules of so-called smart working? Organizing time, carving out moments for oneself, and having cutting-edge tools, such as a high-performance PC and a stable internet connection: here’s a useful tool to check internet coverage when you experience moments of “downtime.”
Don’t Work in Your Pajamas
During the period of 2020-2021, smart working became a way to ensure work productivity while staying at home and following regulations. The problem is that many people have drastically changed their routines, succumbing to the comforts of home.
And while working in pajamas seemed fun at first, over time it proved to be a terrible idea. Why? There is no way to separate work, home, and private life. Our initial advice is to establish a morning routine similar to that of an office setting.
Wake up, take a shower, have breakfast, get dressed, and then sit down at your PC: this routine makes a difference and helps maintain comfort while creating a clear boundary between home life and work life.
Set Work Hours
Working from home is incredibly convenient. After all, we may not have to get up at 6 AM to commute to the office and face traffic. The problem is that our society has changed over time, demanding more availability and flexible hours. As a result, often, many remote workers have no set hours.
Nothing could be more wrong. One of the fundamental aspects of working from home is to establish working hours and, subsequently, to turn off the phone and stop checking emails. The risk is that you never disconnect, keeping your mind focused on work.
Your Workspace: Desk, Chair, PC, and Internet
You need to have all the comforts to work well and peacefully. For example, if your PC is too slow or your internet connection is unstable, problems are just around the corner, as you cannot guarantee that work will be completed on time. This often leads to working late into the evening.
Here are two tips. Actually, three. The first concerns your workspace: keep your desk organized with useful tools to simplify your work, and invest in an ergonomic chair that allows you to keep your back straight without suffering from neck pain or related issues.
Next, let’s talk about the PC: it’s best to opt for a high-performance, state-of-the-art solution that meets your work needs. The internet connection is also crucial: checking coverage in your area is the right idea to ensure you can work smoothly.
Remember Your Personal Life
Many say that smart working can be alienating, and it’s not entirely wrong. Like any aspect, it has its advantages and disadvantages, and loneliness is a consequence of working from home. However, it’s not just about colleagues. Sometimes we forget to respond to friends while immersed in our duties.
In this case, we again suggest carving out moments for social interaction. Having a chat with colleagues, sending a voice message to a close friend or partner is important. Man, as Aristotle said, is a social animal.
Schedule Breaks
The first rule of smart working is that you do not eat at your PC. We’ve all done it; it might have happened once because there was a looming deadline, but it’s not an action to repeat over time. Our brain absorbs all information, and routines profoundly alter our rhythms.
So, let’s plan for breaks: for snacks, lunch, or simply for a quick coffee.
Use Social Media Sparingly
Finally, a little tip: time flies quickly. When we are at home, it’s very easy to lose track of time, especially while working. Let’s try not to abuse social media, perhaps during a break.
Often, we end up working late for this very reason: we see a reel on Instagram, read a post on Facebook, scroll through TikTok, and suddenly 15 minutes have flown by. And this is why we say: working from home indeed requires a great deal of willpower.
Italian Version