Let’s be honest – we’ve all backslid a bit during lockdown.
Whether it’s swapping jeans for sweatpants, leaving dishes in the sink, or foregoing personal grooming; working from home can lead to the development of bad habits. And once they’re in place, they can be extremely hard to address.
So, what exactly can you do to keep your professionalism topped up and what quick fixes are there to make your work that little bit easier?
How do I create a space suitable for working?
First of all, it’s important to build – and stick – to a routine when it comes to keeping your professional edge. While working from home allows you to dictate how you choose to work, sticking to a regular schedule can help you make up for a loss in motivation.
While timekeeping can help, the most foolproof solution is to create a space in your house that is dedicated to work. This can be a simple writing desk, full size table, or any area that allows you to work from your computer with minimal disruption.
Having a comfortable chair, ergonomic keyboard support, and adequate sunlight and fresh air can help aid concentration and make sure that your head stays in the game when it matters most.
What issues do we face?
Of course, even the most dedicated employee can run into a number of obstacles. While every home is different, some of the most common (and frustrating) issues include-
Unavoidable Distractions: While it’s uncharitable to call family an ‘obstacle’ the reality is that making childcare runs, managing meals, and sharing working space with a partner can quickly derail your work. This makes activities such as timeboxing incredibly helpful and can allow you to focus on and clear your work when you know there are deadlines to be met.
Unhealthy Working Hours: If you technically never leave the office, when do you stop working? Setting clear start and end dates to your day can help avoid spending late nights working or early starts. These are almost always unsustainable and end up burning tomorrow’s energy today and result in slow, cumulative burnout. Be fair to yourself, you’ll be thankful later.
Zoom Etiquette: The new reliance on video calls has resulted in a new code of conduct when it comes to team meetings. Understanding when to talk, deliver criticism and feedback, or host and engage with a meeting is extremely difficult. Being able to put forward a professional image is key, so be sure to take a look at your lighting and audio before attending – especially if it’s a first-time meeting with clients or professional partners.
What else should I consider?
No matter whether you are freelancer, hard-working team member, or anything in-between – first impressions are important. In addition to having solid video etiquette, it is close to essential to have a professional backdrop to any video call.
While some of us are fortunate enough to enjoy a top-notch workspace, finding a corner of your house that looks presentable and fully represents your brand can be difficult. Using work from home backdrops allow you to quickly get-up and running with each call, allowing you to show your personal or company branding when it matters most.
These can be fully customised to match your desired look or specific job description. Having a fully representative backdrop can help give a consistent, professional presentation and allow you to impress, optimise your space, and ensure that your visuals will never let you down on a vital video call.
What next?
If you want to learn more about improving your productivity and professionalism when working from home, our team at Sisu Projects is here to help. With a range of options to suit every business need, we collaborate with you to understand your unique requirements and deliver every time. Here you can view our full list of products and services. Or if you have specific questions or queries, you can contact us directly and let a member of our team provide the backdrop or branding solution that your space requires.