“Workshifting” is a term used to describe employees who work from home, or wherever they can snag a good wi-fi connection. Many businesses, especially startups, make it easier for their staff to work remotely from their apartment living quarters. For some, working from home is completely ideal and makes their life easier. For others, workshifting is one giant distraction that keeps them from getting anything done. If you are reading this blog post while “on the clock”, here are some tips to help you get back on track:
1. Set up a work environment for success: You will need a desk, a comfortable chair, and a good lamp for starters. Workshifting from your couch can be done, but in an effort to promote productivity, we recommend that your create the illusion of an official work environment as best as you can. It is good to dress the part as well. You don’t have to wear a suit, but change out of your sleep clothes and wash up. Maybe take a walk around the block before you come back to your apartment and start working. This may sound silly, but the idea is to create a physical separation between your home and your work.
2. Eliminate Distraction: Social media, television, the outdoors, and petty “needs” can distract you. How often have you started working and have thought, “Okay. Writing this sentence was a good start, now I need some coffee and a snack?” Be prepared so that there is no excuse! Make an effort to set up boundaries and provide everything you could possibly need for yourself for the time you are “in the zone.” You can even create barriers through apps that temporarily block you from distracting websites and help you focus on the task at hand. When you are committed to a set time period, stick with it and allow no distractions.
3. Manage your time: The benefit of working from your apartment is that you can pretty much set your own schedule. You can create breaks whenever you would like. And you can distinguish when you would like to work and when you’d like downtime. It is important to strive for a work schedule that is not in limbo. Work when you are supposed to work and don’t think about work when you aren’t working. If you are not one to have a daily apartment living routine, map out the day when you wake up. When are you going to work? What are you going to do today? Create a game plan and seize your day!
And with that, we would like to leave you with a famous quote from Theodore Roosevelt to start your work day at your apartment: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Happy Workshifting!
