Remote working is a chance for more free time for an employee. How is this possible? Whilst operating from home, we are able to save up to 1.4 business days, because we use our time more efficiently than in the office - according to Airtasker research . However, saving 12 hours a month requires proper organisation.
CBRE experts list six rules that will help you organise your work at home in the best possible way. These include creating an office space in the apartment or a detailed day plan.
Each of us working from home develops their own, more or less effective methods of organisation of working time. There are good proven methods, such as to prepare your workplace, separate work from home duties, use the time saved for commuting to some form of physical effort or even take care of your appearance, i.e. avoid walking in the “pyjamas”. It is worth noting that the house is treated by many employers as an additional place of work, and in many organisations access to this form of work is available at the request of the employee. We ask the employer for this opportunity if, for example, we believe that working from home will allow us to perform the tasks more effectively. We would like to emphasise that although we have already developed sets of good practices, in the current context of epidemiological threat, in which organisations transfer work to the home office for entire teams for more than a day/two a week, we are learning this form of work on a daily basis.
Airtasker research shows that unproductive time in the office, which is about 37 minutes, is almost twice as long as when working from home. The motivation to work more efficiently when we stay in our own four walls is worth using. Thanks to this, we will have more time for our own activities or spending time with family.
CBRE experts list TOP 5 rules that will allow us to properly perform remote working:
Rule 1. Organise a separate work space
A space in your home that is designated solely for work refreshes your mind and lets you focus on your tasks. If you want to be fully effective, forget about the sofa. Set up a table or desk and chair, intended exclusively for work, so as to clearly separate this zone from the resting area. Take into account the proper lighting and find a place for all the items that you need to have on hand so you don't waste your time looking for them.
Rule 2. Set up a work schedule
In the office, colleagues will sooner or later draw you away from the desk for a moment to have lunch with you or drink coffee. At home, such breaks are equally important. It's best to plan short breaks every hour to get up from the desk for at least 5 minutes. All you have to do is set an alarm on your phone or use the applications designed for it. Also allow yourself one longer break, e.g. a half-hour walk or lunch leaving your desk.
Rule 3. Remember about breaks and do not reschedule your morning alarm
Wake up in the morning at the same time as if you were going to the office. Getting up later is tempting, but it can negatively affect concentration, quality of work and, as a result, complacency. Similarly, dragging work into the late afternoon hours is not a good idea. Track your working hours and keep yourself accountable. Do not let your professional duties last longer than in the office and vice versa - do not extend the time for rest. Keep an eye on how much time you’re spending on each of the activities and discipline yourself so as not to go to the extremes: workaholism or working on weekends.
Rule 4. Let only healthy snacks tempt you
Unlimited access to the fridge at home can lead to excessive snacking and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, make sure you have mostly fruits and vegetables on the kitchen table and in other places within your sight.
Rule 5. Look good
Some experts believe that you adopt the characteristics associated with what you’re wearing. So, instead of staying in your pyjamas all day, put on an outfit you’d likely wear to the office. Feeling competent isn’t just about productivity. Research has shown that self-efficiency has a positive impact on health behaviours, including weight control and exercise.
CBRE experts list six rules that will help you organise your work at home in the best possible way. These include creating an office space in the apartment or a detailed day plan.
Each of us working from home develops their own, more or less effective methods of organisation of working time. There are good proven methods, such as to prepare your workplace, separate work from home duties, use the time saved for commuting to some form of physical effort or even take care of your appearance, i.e. avoid walking in the “pyjamas”. It is worth noting that the house is treated by many employers as an additional place of work, and in many organisations access to this form of work is available at the request of the employee. We ask the employer for this opportunity if, for example, we believe that working from home will allow us to perform the tasks more effectively. We would like to emphasise that although we have already developed sets of good practices, in the current context of epidemiological threat, in which organisations transfer work to the home office for entire teams for more than a day/two a week, we are learning this form of work on a daily basis.
Airtasker research shows that unproductive time in the office, which is about 37 minutes, is almost twice as long as when working from home. The motivation to work more efficiently when we stay in our own four walls is worth using. Thanks to this, we will have more time for our own activities or spending time with family.
CBRE experts list TOP 5 rules that will allow us to properly perform remote working:
Rule 1. Organise a separate work space
A space in your home that is designated solely for work refreshes your mind and lets you focus on your tasks. If you want to be fully effective, forget about the sofa. Set up a table or desk and chair, intended exclusively for work, so as to clearly separate this zone from the resting area. Take into account the proper lighting and find a place for all the items that you need to have on hand so you don't waste your time looking for them.
Rule 2. Set up a work schedule
In the office, colleagues will sooner or later draw you away from the desk for a moment to have lunch with you or drink coffee. At home, such breaks are equally important. It's best to plan short breaks every hour to get up from the desk for at least 5 minutes. All you have to do is set an alarm on your phone or use the applications designed for it. Also allow yourself one longer break, e.g. a half-hour walk or lunch leaving your desk.
Rule 3. Remember about breaks and do not reschedule your morning alarm
Wake up in the morning at the same time as if you were going to the office. Getting up later is tempting, but it can negatively affect concentration, quality of work and, as a result, complacency. Similarly, dragging work into the late afternoon hours is not a good idea. Track your working hours and keep yourself accountable. Do not let your professional duties last longer than in the office and vice versa - do not extend the time for rest. Keep an eye on how much time you’re spending on each of the activities and discipline yourself so as not to go to the extremes: workaholism or working on weekends.
Rule 4. Let only healthy snacks tempt you
Unlimited access to the fridge at home can lead to excessive snacking and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, make sure you have mostly fruits and vegetables on the kitchen table and in other places within your sight.
Rule 5. Look good
Some experts believe that you adopt the characteristics associated with what you’re wearing. So, instead of staying in your pyjamas all day, put on an outfit you’d likely wear to the office. Feeling competent isn’t just about productivity. Research has shown that self-efficiency has a positive impact on health behaviours, including weight control and exercise.
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Tudor Ionescu
Head of Advisory & Transaction Services, Office