Are you still working from home? Here’s how to improve to impress your colleagues, clients, and managers! (#5 is a Game-Changer!)

Home office it’s here to stay. According to McKinsey research, 80 percent of people in the U.S. said that they enjoy working from home. If you too work from home, these tips are sure to make you stand out: 

1. Switch rooms: Move to different rooms from time to time –  moving to your living room in the afternoon, for example. This will help you to work in a dynamic environment and it will also help keep you comfortable.

2. Invest in your environment and equipment:  The more you think about your workspace at home as permanent, the better it will get. Try to create a great space with a good chair, desk and equipment to work on.

3. Routine: Keep the same work hours you had before. Take the extra time you have in the morning to catch up with family, have a healthy breakfast, and do whatever fills you up with energy to start your workday feeling energized and motivated. Alarms are a great way to remind you to have lunch, manage your activities, and  not to lose track of important tasks. 

4. Dress like a grownup: Who has ever wanted to work in their PJ’s? Continuing to “dress for work” keeps you in the professional mindset. You don’t have to wear fancy clothes, but keep the pajamas for TV time and week-end activities. The difference in this small adjustment will amaze you! 

5. Stretch regularly: Stretch your hips, shoulders, chest, arms, back, etc. Find a quick routine, not more than 5 minutes, and do it every 2 to 3 hours. At VTRAC, our team participates in afternoon stretches 3 times a week which is great for our minds, bodies, and team building!

6. Maximize natural daylight: There are different ways to illuminate your workspace. One of them is to place your desk near a window. If you have a certain room for your home office, try to use light colors to decorate your workspace  and energy-efficient lighting. DIrect sunlight can be blinding and make it difficult to see your computer screen at certain times of the day.

7. Set your goals: Make a list of tasks you need to complete every day, and then stick to it. A daily organizer is a great way to track deliverables, prioritize  activities, and manage your time. As a bonus, the satisfaction of checking things off a list is magical. Don’t believe us? Try it! 

8. Improve communication: Communication can be challenging when you work from home. Using your camera, setting objectives and keeping it short-and-sweet (no more than an hour) are key to a successful meeting. 5 minutes before, ask yourself the following questions: 

  • What is the purpose of this meeting?
  • Do I have the tools to communicate with my team?
  • Could this be better handled through an email?

Last, but not least, always plan your meetings ahead of time. Unless it’s an emergency, do it during working hours and set up one channel of communication with your team.