IT workers may be among those who know remote working better than anyone else. However, the current situation calls for extra care for the team, and that’s why we have researched and gathered several tips that can be useful for software development teams.
Work From Home Tips
Set Up Your Workstation
Moving around or finding a new area to work in too often can be disruptive and results in you wasting energy and time on non-work matters during working hours. Therefore, dedicate a desk and some connecting devices only for work use. Plus, keep everything tidy to avoid getting distracted.
White noise is known for helping people to either stay relaxed or deepen their focus. Turning on a white noise machine or app will help you get your focus sharp, especially when there are people around.
Chronic back pain, neck stiffness, and carpal tunnel syndrome are among the most common occupational hazards for IT workers. To counteract the negative effect of too much sitting, use the most comfortable chair you can with back support. And also, consider using hands-free headsets and earbuds for long calls.
As people must remain indoors most of the time during social distancing, you may expect to have companies while you work at home. That can be family members, housemates...etc. Having clear communication with them about your work hours will save you from a lot of non-work distractions.
Prepare and Prepare
Staying home may give you the illusion that you have extra time to cook. However, the actuality is the opposite. Preparing food ahead of time ensures you can use your meal times to eat and avoid taking up work time.
Thinking about what you’ll do for the day may take away some time from the actual doing. Therefore, try solidifying your schedule the day before, making it feel more official when you wake up the next day to get started on it.
Your morning prep routine plays a large role in determining your mindset for the day. Although you are at home, don’t get to work in your sleepwear! You'll find yourself being more productive when you dress for the day and brush your teeth.
Ready, Set, Work!
Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps you maintain a work-life balance. Therefore, remember to double-check with your team to see if your working time can be different from the common 9 to 5.
When you’re in the comfort of home and deep in work, you may find yourself losing track of time and working through lunch break. Try not to do that. Know your company's policy on break times and take them entirely. Use your breaks to get away from your desk, go for a walk, or hang out with people at home.
Staying late at the office is not recommended, nor working overtime at home. To make sure that you maintain a work-life balance, set an alarm at the end of the day to indicate your normal workday is coming to an end.
Communicate to get support
Whether you’re already familiar with remote working or not, always take note to ask for guidelines on working during a crisis, including remote work policies, procedures, and expectations.
A lack of human connection is one of the hardest things about remote working, let alone in a global crisis like now. Try to shorten the physical distance between you and your coworkers by asking them for regular feedback on how the situation is working out. Communicate, communicate, and then communicate some more.
We hope the above tips could help you stay productive and stay connected during this trying time. Above all, figure out what works best for you and make adjustments when possible. Remember that you’re not doing this alone, and you have your team’s full support.
References
- Erik Devaney, How to Work From Home: 20 Tips From People Who Do It Successfully, hubspot.com, 2020.
- Lindsey Pollak and Eileen Coombes, 23 Essential Tips for Working Remotely, inc.com, 2020.
- 20 Must-Know Tips for Working From Home, pcmag.com, 2020.
