During a pandemic, more and more organizations organize work from home. The positive effects are reflected in the increased motivation of employees and their willingness to participate. At the same time, working from home saves the employer’s financial contribution and has a positive impact on the environment.

However, working from home requires good organization. It often happens that our focus from work quickly diminishes. To avoid hidden pitfalls, select 10 Optiprint tips for effective working from home.

1. Morning routine – an indispensable start to a new day

People need a sense of stability and organization. Especially if they work from home. We ensure this by establishing a daily routine. Getting up at the same time, doing morning activities, preparing meals, having a morning ritual of drinking coffee or tea, and preparing mentally for work. It is important that we create a framework for the working day in the morning. In the meantime, we try to immerse ourselves in the process of preparing to leave for work. For example, we dress in business attire and prepare ourselves just as we would prepare to leave for work.

2. Home office – preparation of the working environment

As far as possible we separate our home office from other rooms. We choose a room that has plenty of natural light and promotes concentration. We use an office chair and a desk that is only used for work. It is important that the home office is only used for work. It has to be designed in such a way that our subconscious can connect it with work. We install a cabinet for storing documents in the home office and place an office printer on it.

At the end of the working day, we leave the chosen place as if we had left work.

3. Working day plan – daily structure

The work schedule at work is usually determined in advance, so it is important that we plan it from home at work as well, so that we do not stretch it out all day. If possible, we do the most important tasks first. We put together a priority structure of all tasks and assign them an approximate time of completion. We put together a schedule, complete the calendar, and set the dates for the daily meetings. The schedule must include short breaks and a lunch break. The reading and answering of work emails should be determined by a limited time window. The aim is to achieve a high level of concentration and productivity and to put the work into an eight-hour working day if possible.

4. Disruptive factors – a danger that must be minimized

When there are more people at home, we set limits and take them into account. We communicate the framework of the working day with other people. If possible, we do not let other family members disturb us during the working day. We also pay attention to the use of smartphones and restrict the use of social networks. We open private e-mails as rarely as possible. During the working day, we also avoid constantly monitoring current events through web portals and news.

5. Focus – only one task at a time

Multitasking has set a new trend in the fast pace of life. However, research has shown that trying to perform multiple tasks at once lacks productivity. Therefore, it is important to concentrate on only one task and complete it on time. It’s all about the dynamics of fulfillment when we complete tasks. It gives a feeling of stability and inspires the internal motivation to complete other tasks successfully.

6. Regular breaks – the key to well-being

The brain is not able to function fully throughout the working day. Therefore, we must ensure a sufficient number of breaks. The time in which we work is divided into intervals of intensive work and breaks. According to some studies, people are said to be most effective with an average 52-minute interval of mental work followed by a 17-minute break. During the breaks, we completely ignore the work. We use the time for a short walk, the preparation of a meal, or for physical activity, which would help maintain health and personal well-being.

7. Employees and coworkers – keeping in touch with them

Working from home restricts personal contacts and interferes with our social circle. When we leave the office, we miss fleeting contacts and conversations with colleagues. No more shared lunches and coffee-drinking rituals. Indirectly, we avoid networking, which is crucial for business success. Therefore, in addition to the formal daily and weekly meetings, we introduce a monthly informal meeting. This meeting is used exclusively for networking and connecting employees, developing ideas, and expressing opinions. We also hold personal discussions via online chat rooms about solutions: Skype, Viber, Zoom, and GoToMeeting.

8. Internal energy – unlocking success

The self-planning of work is one of the main advantages of working from home. It is only important that the work is done on time and in accordance with the agreed deadlines.

We divide our work according to our own productivity. By monitoring and directing internal energy, we can increase efficiency. It is crucial that we get to know ourselves well and link cyclical energy levels to daily tasks. In this way, we tactfully dispose of internal energy, increase efficiency, and save time. We plan to perform the important tasks that require concentration and creativity when we have the most energy.

9. Infrastructure – the first condition to be met

High-quality work from home requires functional hardware equipment: from a computer, monitors, and other devices to a well-functioning printer or multifunction device.

It is important to pay more attention to the preventive preparation of technology so that it does not fail at work. Fast Wi-Fi or reliable optics are crucial, as the Internet is a window to the outside world. It enables fluent working, management of internal systems, databases, communication with employees, suppliers, and customers.

In case of technical problems, we select reliable operators who offer an immediate solution to the situation from a distance or are ready to solve the technical challenge the same day at the location of the home office.

10. Printer – an indispensable element in the home office

When working from home, one of the worrying circumstances is usually the lack of a high-quality printer and scanner. Employees only have to return to the office because they need to copy and send documents. What we avoid. And instead, we rent a printer for our home office. The printer allows us to print, copy, and scan documents carefree in the embrace of our own home. When we rent a printer, we print in color and without errors. At the same time, we scan, send, and process work documents indefinitely. And we have no costs for buying ink cartridges, paper, and maintenance.

At Optiprint we offer a reliable and affordable solution for hiring a printer TO-GO. Companies rent printers to make them available to employees and allow them to work from home without any hassle. Printers have also proven their worth in households with pupils and students who print and scan school and study materials.

For more information on renting and ordering, click here.

We wish you a successful work from home!