Having a healthy work-life balance can be challenging to achieve; especially while working from home. When does the workday start and when should you call it a day and turn the computer off? These kinds of questions are very relatable for people all over the world during this pandemic.
According to a 2019 study done by software company RescueTime, 26% of our work is done at home, increasing the chances of experiencing burnout. Furthermore, workers on average only have 2 hours and 48 minutes of productive time a day, and they check their email and instant messaging every 6 minutes.
With these numbers in mind, it’s even more important that we learn to work productively from home and know when the workday is over. Establishing a defined work schedule will not only help you become more productive but also help you find more time to live your life outside of your job. Minetum is here to help you with 5 pieces of advice to achieve this!
1. Create a start routine
Start your morning with a pre-work routine. Empty the dishwasher, get a cup of coffee, start the day with some exercise, or take a shower. Whatever it is that works for you, make it a habit to follow that routine before you sit down to work. This will condition your brain to realize that work time is coming up shortly.
2. Make a plan
Having a plan for the day will increase your productivity both at work and afterward. Make sure that you know the times of your meetings and other events on your schedule, and make a list of tasks or projects you will tackle today. Likewise, create a plan for when you get off work so you know in advance how you’d like to spend that time.
You shouldn’t have to do work during your personal time, and having a plan will help you avoid this. You will feel more at ease knowing that everything has a slot in your schedule throughout the day, so make it a habit to start the day by making a plan.
3. Arrange your communication accordingly
It’s unavoidable to never have personal communication during work time, but you should try to limit it. The same can be said about work-related during your personal time. You should try to prioritize your communication throughout the day according to its context.
If your personal messages aren’t urgent, you can put them off until a designated time on your schedule and then allow yourself to respond before returning to work. When you’re done working for the day, you should apply the same principle and avoid work emails and only answer work texts if they are urgent. This way you will separate your work- and personal life, and you will find yourself more mentally present in both.
4. Create an end-of-the-day routine
To make sure that you’re done with your work tasks and can fully enjoy your evening, create a routine that you follow at least 30 minutes before the end of your workday. Do a final check of your emails and determine if some need a response or if they can wait. Check your list and make sure you’ve completed the required tasks and if it’s necessary to work during your night, determine in advance when you will do this and for how long.
This way you will avoid having the weight of the unfinished task weighing on you all night, as you know exactly when you will work on it. The objective is clear and you’re able to disconnect from work until that point.
5. You don’t always have to be available
It’s especially difficult to disconnect from work during these times, but you don’t always have to be available. Set boundaries and remind yourself that with the constant connectivity that the pandemic has brought upon us, you need to sustain your wellbeing by being mentally present during your personal time.
During times of uncertainty, it’s difficult to focus on creating new habits, but Minetum believes that by following these steps you can be more present at work and at home.
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