Learning a new language offers a great number of benefits. For one thing, it exposes you to different cultures. In this age of globalization thanks to rapid technological advancements, we are all much more likely to interact with those from other countries and cultures. Social media, for instance, has connected the world, making it possible to make friends from anywhere around the globe. (more…)
2020 has brought a lot of changes and challenges, no matter where you work. Some essential workers had to continue going into their workplaces, while others were lucky enough to start working remotely, and it seems that a lot of companies have discovered that remote employees aren’t all that bad. Just take a look at Google – contract employees at this gigantic company have had their remote work orders extended until summer 2021.
Working remotely comes with all the usual things like emailing people, participating in crowded Zoom calls, sending faxes, doing the laundry, sitting in bed, sneaking a beer, and not wearing pants…sound familiar? Let’s just say that it takes a whole lot of self-determination to keep productive, excited, and challenged when you’re all alone, surrounded by your own things, in a place that used to be your refuge away from work.
So, how can you keep focused at home? Let us help you out. If you’re struggling with keeping on task, these tips will make your life easier.
Before you sign off for a new day, plan your next one. This way, when you sit down with your cup of coffee and a fresh morning outlook, you won’t have to pause and dig through the previous day’s work, wondering where you left off. Without a plan, it’s so easy to get sucked into non-priority tasks. Consider trying tools like Trello, Google Calendar, or Asana to help you with planning.
To keep concentrated while working from home you need to set the right mood. Many people work from their couch or their bed. If you occasionally work from home because you want to lounge in your comfy chair and hoodie, that might actually give you a creativity boost. But if you work at home day in and day out, think about setting up a workspace like you would at your office. This means having:
You’ve probably heard the advice that you shouldn’t work in your bedroom, or anywhere you consider your personal space to relax a hundred times before. While that’s true, it can be difficult if you like in a small space. However, there are often more possibilities than you realize, and if all else fails, use the kitchen table. Think about making your work-zone in your:
Listening to music while working can be great, but it can also be distracting. The key is to pick the right music. There are playlists that are called “concentration” or “work music” on services like Spotify that are perfect for these occasions or you can compile your own personalized playlist.
If music doesn’t quite work for you but you don’t like to work in silence, try natural sounds such as waterfalls and rainforests. Prefer to feel like they’re in the middle of hustle and bustle as if you were in an office or a busy cafe? There are playlists that recreate both of these sounds, take a listen! Finding the perfect background noise for you can greatly increase your productivity.
A basic home office needs a laptop and WiFi to be functional – but things like a desk, a chair and additional screens will depend on you. You can choose from whatever makes you work better and make your day more productive and fun:
Without some of these items, you may suffer from back pain or eyestrain after long stretches of work, but remember to think about fun additions to your home office too, such as comfortable slippers or essential oil diffusers.
Plan your day not only by making a list, but by listing what you’d like to get done when. It will help keep you on track. It’s also best to plan a mid-morning break and a lunch break – otherwise, your whole day will stretch out into a strange break-like work day where you will feel compelled to sit at your computer but eat lunch at the same time. This doesn’t work well in the office or at home. Have dedicated times to get up, stretch, and get your mind off of things. It will make you more productive in the long run.
Unless you’re the company’s social media manager, chances are that when you’re browsing Instagram you probably shouldn’t be. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole, we know. Set up social media blockers on your mobile devices with a timer. Planning breaks is great for motivation and sanity, so allow yourself some social media time as a reward for accomplished tasks.
Dressing comfortably doesn’t mean staying in your pajamas, which can actually be demotivating. Get dressed for work – but keep it comfortable and casual of course. Why not decide on a work wardrobe; specific clothes that you only wear when working. This will help you to further separate your work and personal life.
Plan activities with your remote co-workers. Zoom happy hours or chat parties have become the norm. You can also set common goals and keep track of them together. This can include anything from jogging to a fitness goal or organizing an after-hours book club.
This keeps you connected to your team on a personal level and it’s so much better to work with the feeling that there’s “someone out there”.
We hope these tips will help you create a more effective workspace and, in turn, boost your productivity and overall well-being.
As businesses realize the benefits of remote working, many are reaching out to international companies and clients, increasing the need for professional translation services. If your company is looking to expand and needs translators experienced website translation, for example, BeTranslataed is here for you. For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch today.
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