OPERATION OBSERVATIONS

FRANKE JOEHL Director of Operations EXIT Realty of Alabama & Mississippi OPERATION OBSERVATIONS < < <

IGNITE Your At Home Productivity

As we all continue to buckle down and Social Distance due to this World-Wide Pandemic called Coronavirus (COVID-19), we each are working from our homes, full of distractions and temptations. Personally, I work from home most days when I am not on the road, and I too get distracted by things going on in my home, from the dog wanting to go outside to the interruptions from family not understanding fully that just because I am home doesn’t mean I am not working. But the most significant underlying question is, how can I make my home office the most productive space possible? As I embarked on this work from home journey over the last year, I have researched and reevaluated my home office space, and I wanted to give you some tips and strategies to keep on task and involved in your business while we are working from home.

Teal Tip #1 | Create Your Space for Maximum Productivity.

How awesome would it be to have a super private office, with huge solid doors to shut out the outside world… For most of us, we don’t have that option in our home, but you can still create an effective home office space with Maximum Productivity in mind.

First things first, find the quietest corner in your home. For me, this was in the corner of my bedroom. Do you like to have a light and bright space, or do you prefer to work in a cave? That will help you decide on your area. I love the location that I placed my home office. I have this great floor to ceiling window that overlooks a small garden in the front yard. Think about what’s outside that window, find something that’s not distracting, and provides a sense of peace. A comfy chair and some excellent music help set the mood for a productive workday.

Teal Tip #2 | Are You Comfortable?

It is tough to be a productive person when you are not comfortable. Invest in a really good office chair. Thi’s is the best thing you can do for your body after long days at your desk.

Teal Tip #3 | Stand Often.

Even with a comfy office chair, you still need to stretch your legs often. Set a timer and every hour stand or walk around for 3 to 5 minutes. I combined two desks to make an L-Shaped desk in my office; one portion of it is a standing desk. This allows me to pivot to the standing desk every other hour and still stay productive. After chatting with some people, they cannot stand a standing desk (see what I did there…), but if you are going to work from home often, you may want to look into one.

Teal Tip #4 | Fearlessly Remove Clutter.

Have you ever noticed how all the things somehow migrate to your home office? Learn to declutter this space often. Consistently purge piles of papers, drinking cups,

boxes, etc. that always seem to wind up in your office space. These do not serve a productivity purpose to you in your office and can add stress where you did not need it. You cannot get your mind clear and on task with a bunch of stuff surrounding you.

Teal Tip #5 | Have a Handy Distraction.

Look for something to give your mind a break. I know later in this article I will say limit your distractions, but some disturbances are necessary… In my case, this is a timer with 5 minutes set to view TikTok videos and lavender therapy dough “Adult Play-Doh” (I received this as a gift from a friend and I have never looked back, for a very sensory-based person, it has essential oils for relaxation and gives me something to touch and relieve stress, Highly Recommend).

Teal Tip #6 | Clearly Defined Schedule.

What time do you get ready for work? Are you “camera ready” by 9 am? Set yourself a clearly defined schedule. To be the most productive you need to get on a routine. For me it’s getting up at 6:00 am and jumping right in the shower, this gives me a good 15 minutes to wake fully up and get my mindset set. From there I move into my affirmations and gratitude journaling time for 20 minutes, on to breakfast and my morning motivation – a refreshing La Croix. Next Stop, sitting down in the home office. I start my office time off with checking emails from the night before, logging into my Asana platform to check upcoming tasks for the day (I highly recommend that you look into a task management tool like Asana or Trello, If you are like me I always have multiple task list laying around, Asana allows you to combine them into one location and take it with you digitally), and cruising and interacting on Social Media for a few minutes. That is just some insight on what my morning consists of, but know everyone’s schedule will be different but do have a Defined Schedule in place. home.

Teal Tip #7 | Distractions. Who is that?

Most people, especially kids, do not understand working from home.

Unfortunately, you will need to get tough with them; there are people in your life that, as hard as you try to remind them gently, just don’t get it--that working from home still means working! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had a family member come in and just start talking while I am on a conference call. Setting a boundary with them is something that is essential to your productivity.

Teal Tip #8 | GET DRESSED.

Have you gotten into the habit of getting right to work as soon as you roll out of bed? You can shower later, right?

Do not do it. Get showered, Get dressed, Get productive. Just because you are working from home does not give you a free pass to dress like a teenager. Would you show up to a meeting like that? So why are you showing up to a Zoom meeting like that. Dressing like a true professional set your mindset into the work productivity zone. Of all the tips, this tip alone can be what defines your productivity for the day. So Seriously, put your pants on before you start your next Zoom call.

Applying even one of these tips will help you be more productive and happy while working from home. Remember, every minute you are productive is an opportunity for success! Be Safe. Be Healthy. Be Productive.