Remote Wednesdays: Why are some people better at WFH than others?

WFH
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Written by Trisha Bhullar

WFH

Working from home is no easy feat. Children get rowdy, you can’t focus while in pyjamas and your bed is just a quick walk away. But why does it seem that some people manage to become even more productive while working from home (WFH)? Let’s take a look at why that’s so. 

Are some people naturally better at WFH than others?

This may actually be the case. Some people work better in quiet, focused environments like their homes instead of a bustling office. Or they struggle to focus in a crowded home full of restless kids. Your ability to WFH thus depends on both your home environment and personality traits. 

Besides this, your personality and traits could influence how disciplined you may remain in a fixed environment full of distractions. More disciplined individuals can filter out distractions and discomforts, while other people are put off from working at the slightest inconvenience. This boils down to self-discipline and your ability to focus in a distracting environment. 

Am I doomed if I’m not naturally suited to WFH? 

Not at all! In fact, most of these “naturally” focused individuals are the way they are due to years of practice. All you have to do is put in a little effort to be more efficient while WFH. Here’s how you can start. 

WFH Tip #1 Say no to procrastination

Without your boss hovering around the corner, it’s tempting to procrastinate on the job. Difficult task on hand? Let’s solve it after lunch. And after a Youtube video. Or after I try a new recipe. The distractions at home are endless, which means that the opportunities for procrastination are boundless. To avoid this trap, have a personal stake in your work goals. Keep a to-do list and get excited about finishing work tasks for the day. Reward yourself when you tackle important tasks and remember to schedule reasonable breaks to avoid burning out while WFH.

WFH Tip #2 Separate work from home

Who wants to be productive in pyjamas? Exactly! A home is a place of comfort, which could leave you in the wrong headspace when doing work. That’s what makes it so important to separate work and relaxation hours. By extension, this means treating your working hours seriously. This means getting dressed for work in the morning, working at a proper desk and completing the tasks expected of you. 

banerek timeqube min

We know, that sounds way easier than it actually is. Work with your family members to establish a “working hours” system where you avoid being a distraction to one another. A great tool for this is a Timeqube, which is an unobtrusive home office tool. It tracks the passing of time through a change in colour, which helps signal to everyone in the room when it’s “work time” and “break time”. This is especially useful for kids to identify when their parents are busy. 

WFH Tip #3 Find your motivation

Inject your working hours with things you enjoy. This could be a walk, a delicious lunch break or a zoom call with your colleagues. WFH can take a toll on you when working hours start blending into a monotonous routine. Plan these exciting moments and use the resulting energy to boost your work quality. 

Practice makes perfect!

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you find it difficult transitioning to a WFH lifestyle. Take it a day at a time and integrate these tips slowly into your routines. You’ll find yourself motivated, productive and happy in no time!