How To Manage a Work-Life Balance While Working From Home

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2020 will be remembered as the year of remote working as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. By the looks of it, home offices are here to stay and despite their many benefits, they also come with a fair share of challenges.

1. Pros and Cons of Working From Home

There are so many real and tangible benefits to working remotely.

No commute

Removing the commute from your life could save you 1.3 years of your life, on average. Not only will you save precious time and money you can put to better use, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint. Need we say more?

Less stress

Besides worrying of being late to work or being stuck in traffic, you also won’t need to worry about workplace politics and personality clashes. If you need to take a break or have a power nap to freshen your mind, you have the liberty to do it and boost your performance.

Flexibility

You can get things done outside at off-peak times and avoid traffic. You have the liberty to create your day as it suits you which is perhaps the biggest pro of remote working. You also get to schedule your work according to your business needs which is a big plus if your associates and clients are located across the globe. You will get more quality family time, you can finally take the time to eat a healthier diet and manage your kids more easily.

On the other hand, remote working could result in many drawbacks.

Overworking

Without the physical separation, you can easily end up working much longer than your normal work hours.

Flexibility comes at a cost

One of the main perks of remote working is the flexibility to tailor your day. But, this also means you might have to compensate for an hour spent making lunch for your family by working later at night or during weekends. As boring as a routine may sound, humans thrive on structure as we are creatures of habit.

Less interaction

Remote working comes with less human connection. It will be much more difficult to develop relationships and misunderstandings arise more easily as the on-screen communication takes away the non-verbal part of the communication which is much more important than verbal. Working remotely can make us feel isolated and lonely.

Lack of an office surrounding

A dog barking or your child screaming could result in you not being taken seriously.

Less movement is bad for health

You don’t want your joints to get rusty and sitting at home all day is not good for our bodies.

Over-dependence on technology

A serious downside is that if your wi-fi or laptop breaks, you can’t get any work done and the IT department can’t step in to resolve the issue as you snap your fingers.

A higher utility bill

Spending more time at home requires you to be mindful of your energy usage if you don’t want your bill to skyrocket. You can invest in smart products to make your home more energy-efficient. Additionally, try to compare providers your area and do a PA powerswitch to find a more affordable rate.

2. Remote Working Hacks To Make You More Successful

In order to take advantage of the advantages of remote working, you need to have a plan and structure in place.

To be truly flexible, you need discipline

Discover when you are most productive and build your work schedule around your peak productivity periods. Define the exact times when you will get to work and stick to your schedule. Communicate your work schedule to your boss and colleagues. Develop your morning routine to start the day on the right foot. At the end of the day, shut down your laptop, set your work app to “away” and don’t check your work e-mail.

Make your home office space work for you

Establish an area of your home where you will work in peace and quiet. Invest in quality technology. Get comfortable office furniture.

Grooming is not optional

“Dress for success” isn’t just a corporate catchphrase; it really matters when you work from home. Working from your PJs kills your productivity.

Stretch regularly

Take short breaks and stretch to support your posture. Your brain needs a break too.

3. How To Maintain a Work-Life Balance While Working From Home 

A work-life balance is something we all strive to, but when you’re working remotely, lines are a bit blurrier so it can become more challenging.

Establish a morning routine

Start your day right by enjoying your cup of coffee or a short yoga class. Starting the day with what makes you feel good will provide you with fuel for any challenges ahead.

Don’t visit your office space on weekends and days off

Make sure that office space is for workdays only. When you are in your home office, the only thing on your schedule should be work. Likewise, when you’re done with work, close your laptop for the day at a specific time to provide your mind with a clear message to relax.

Make a physical activity routine and stick to it

By working from home, you will be moving a lot less so regular physical activity becomes even more important to avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.

Check in with yourself

Remote work burnout happens to the best of us, and it is usually the result of a lack of work-life balance. Make working goals and assess your progress every week so you can identify areas where you can improve. The whole concept of self-care is about learning to listen to our inner voice and what our bodies need to stay healthy.

Takeaway

Focus on the good things of remote work which is that you now have more control over your work-life balance. When working, let your work do all the talking. After work, forget about work, relax and count your blessings.