4 Ways to Prove Your Productivity When Working From Home

By Alicia Geigel on April 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic, commonly referred to as the Coronavirus, has completely dismantled our way of life. Across the country, retail stores are closed, hospitals are at max capacity, and millions of people have been forced out of their jobs. For a significant amount of people, working from home has become the new normal. Instead of commuting to a physical work building, people are stationed at their home office, conducting frequent Zoom meetings, and adapting as well as possible to this new work situation. Working from home is not for everyone, but due to the ferocity and unpredictable nature of the virus, people are without any other option.

It can go without saying that there has been a significant spike in the number of individuals working from home due to the virus, but what about before? Prior to the virus outbreak, remote work was becoming increasingly popular, with many people either seeking out working from home or companies shifting to remote work. According to a study conducted by Upwork, 63 percent of companies now have remote workers, 48 percent of companies use freelancers, and three times more hiring managers believe offices will become temporary anchor points versus daily travel destinations. The very structure that we are used to, i.e. commuting to a building, working in a physical office with co-workers, then traveling back home, is vastly changing and many are behind the movement of working from home.

What was once considered only an option for stay-at-home mothers or young adults, working from home has now become favored by many companies, with public opinion shifting strongly toward the new work structure. In a study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), 86% of U.S. workers who had the option work from anywhere were taking advantage of the option, and 69% of those who are out of the labor force (retired, home with children), would be encouraged to start working if they could so flexibly.

The shift toward working from home is being embraced by both big and small companies, as well as a majority of workers, but sometimes it can be a struggle to get into your own groove when you are starting to work remotely. The environment is completely different, and thus it can take some getting used to. Many people can struggle with feelings of feeling unproductive or appearing unproductive by family, friends, or even peers. Whether you are trying to prove to yourself that you can work from home, or make a point to your employer that you have the ability to do so, there are plenty of ways to thrive when working remotely.

Have you started working from home as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak? Is remote working your main work structure? Feeling as if you don’t do enough or are not productive enough? This comprehensive guide will not only show you how to prove productivity while working at home, but it will also give you the best tips to thrive in your at-home work environment!

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Image via Pexels

Proving Productivity While Working from Home 

Due to a number of reasons, you may be feeling unproductive or be concerned about looking unproductive while working from home. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as being consumed by the conventional attitudes toward working, distractions you face while trying to work, the lack of a proper schedule, etc. Regardless of the reason, no one deserves to feel as if they aren’t working enough when in fact, they are putting out the most effort- whether from home or traditional office. Here are four simple tips on proving your productivity while working at home:

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Image made via Canva

Be Reliable and Responsive: While at work, your boss can observe you being both reliable and responsive because you both are in the same physical location. When working from home, things can get a little more complicated, as you have to show these qualities through online correspondence.

You can show that you are both reliable and responsible by simply being available within a reasonable timeframe, according to Lizz Presson of the Muse. She writes, “In an office, your boss can see, plain and clear, that you’re working away at your desk all day. When you’re at home, you can send the same message by being responsive and available online. This means that you should be attentive to your phone, email, and instant messages throughout the day and that when you receive a request from your boss you respond as soon as possible. You don’t have to drop everything and tackle their request right away, but do respond quickly with a realistic timeframe of when that task will be complete.”

Don’t Over-communicate/Communicate as Needed: There is nothing wrong with communicating with your boss or co-workers, but just because you are working from home doesn’t mean that you need to go overboard. You may think that constant emails, updates, etc. would make you look like you have everything together and look good in the eyes of your boss, but that isn’t the case.

Needing constant reassurance or supervision from your boss will give them the message that you can’t handle your tasks on your own, and they could lose confidence in your ability to do your specific tasks/projects. So, don’t worry about giving hourly updates on the status of what you’re working on, but remember to communicate effectively as needed.

Be Present for Virtual Work Meetings: Virtual meetings are very important when working remotely, as it is a way to touch base with every person and discuss work issues in a personal way, rather through email.

Sure, you may be wearing your pajama pants and playing the latest episode of your favorite show in the background, but you can still be present and attentive despite not physically being in an office meeting. Asking questions, making intelligent comments, and initiating conversations around relevant work topics will show that you are not only present in the meeting itself, but on a larger scale, show that you take your job seriously whether at home or not.

Avoid Overworking to Look Busy: From time to time, we all get that feeling of insecurity that we aren’t doing enough within our job. It’s just human nature to want to look the best in front of those who we admire, look up to, or work for. In a remote environment, it can sometimes be tough to not occupy yourself with several tasks to give the impression that you are busy, but doing so will consume your energy and eventually burn you out. Effectively communicating and showing your quality of work will speak enough for itself, trust me!

Tips for Working from Home 

Working from home may seem like it would be a piece of cake, but with no real supervision, no serious restrictions, and the complete freedom of being at home, it can turn into a whole new skill to master. While this transition can be smooth for most people, for others it can be slightly more difficult. If you are someone who does well in a standard work environment, here are four tips that can help you thrive while working at home!

Eliminate Distractions: We all are guilty of going on our phones while trying to be productive and get work done, its an unfortunate reality of how we operate in our society. Let’s be real though, you know you aren’t going to get any work done when you’re on Twitter or watching YouTube, so if you actually care about your job and want to get your work done while at home, don’t tempt yourself.

My few recommendations are: first, if possible, silence your phone and either place it in a different room or somewhere where it’s not easily accessible to you, then once you have your break, take the time to message your contacts back. Secondly, if you are someone who has a fierce social media addiction, set yourself a timer for 10-15 minutes, indulge in your Twitter feed, and then get back to work. Once you set a time limit for yourself, you’ll not only feel better after your break but you’ll also be able to jump right back into work!

Create an Office Space: Working from home requires a great deal of both self-discipline from distractions and dedication. To help foster a great work environment for yourself, it is absolutely necessary to create an adequate office space. If you work from your bed or from your couch, you’ll bee more prone to wanting to relax rather than work. Doing this can work for some people, however, if you not only want to appear productive but also get work done, having an office space is your best option.

Now, not everyone has an extra room in their home to dedicate to work, so if you don’t have an office, you can make one! Find an area in your home/apartment that has minimal distractions, plenty of light (natural is the best), and enough space for a table or desk with a chair to work from. Include some visuals to inspire you, along with some items that can create a positive atmosphere to your space, like a favorite picture or candle. A dedicated space will motivate you to get all your work done as well as give you a sense that you are in a traditional work environment!

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Image via Pexels

Establish a Schedule for Working: Part of what can seem so scary about working from home is all the newfound freedom you have. When working in a standard work environment, everything is structured around time: a time you are required to arrive, a time for lunch, and a time to leave. At home, you start to work whenever you want (unless directed by your boss), which can turn out to be overwhelming and a little chaotic at points. You don’t want to find yourself caught up in a Netflix binge, starting your work at 9pm and getting to bed at 3 a.m.

To help solve this problem, establish a schedule for your day. Designate specific times for your breakfast, important meetings, lunchtime, working on projects/tasks, corresponding with co-workers or your boss, and dinner. Though you might not stick to the exact schedule you make for yourself all the time, having a timeframe to go by will continue to motivate you as well as help you accomplish your goals throughout the day!

Take Breaks When Necessary: Just because you are working from home does not mean that you can’t take breaks. You may think that working from home is a luxury in itself and thus, your breaks are unnecessary, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Whether you are in a company building or working from home, it is not only important but also necessary to take breaks.

Dedicating yourself tirelessly to your work is admirable, but it won’t benefit you in the long run. The less you are able to collect yourself and relax your mind, the more you will be prone to make mistakes, burn yourself out, and end up unmotivated. If you’ve been focused on a certain project/task for a while and feel yourself getting tired, take a break! During this break, grab a snack, listen to some music, get some fresh air; do anything to unwind, and relax your mind!

With the severity of COVID-19, working from home has become the new norm. If you’re not used to working remotely, you can sometimes feel as if you’re not being productive enough, which can lead you to want to do your best to prove it. Through simple ways, like being reliable and responsive, communicating as needed, showing attentiveness during meetings, and avoiding working too much, you can show you are being both productive and a serious worker. Be sure to create a proper space, establish a schedule, eliminate possible distractions, and take breaks when necessary to maximize your potential at home!

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