Coronavirus has changed the way people work. With orders to stay home, many companies have shifted their workforce to online remote work. While remote work can be a shock to the system, the number of people working from home is growing. We can learn from their experience.  We’ve gathered 4 tips to stay effective when working from home.  

1. Make a schedule (and stick to it!)

By sticking to your regular schedule, you’ll keep the structure that keeps you productive in the office.

It’s easy to hit snooze in the morning, and even more so when you don’t drive to work. Try to resist this urge. For example, if you usually get up and go to the gym first thing in the morning, keep getting up and workout from home. Your body will appreciate the exercise and the stability of the routine.

Keep your normal work hours and structure as much as possible. While you are not driving to work, you do need to ‘go’ to work. Get started at a set time and then tackle the day the same way you would in the office.  If you usually respond to email in the first hours of the day, do that. If you’re most creative and productive in the morning, focus on your project first thing and respond to emails later. By keeping the schedule you have in the office, you’ll take advantage of the times you are most productive.

The same idea applies to breaks and the end of the day. A lunch break and a walk are a great way to refuel for the afternoon. Try to walk away from your desk (and screens) for lunch to reset. If your job allows you to sign off at the end of the day, practice that policy at home also. When the workday ends, walk away from the emails and shut down the computer. 

You’ll find that you’re most productive with a plan. Making a schedule and sticking to it will keep you focused and productive.

2. Stay Connected with Technology

While we are all social distancing ourselves physically, we still need to connect emotionally. New technology makes that possible. It removes the distance barrier between you and fellow team members. These tools include instant messaging platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, as well as live conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype.

Videos also keep the connection alive. ScreenPal is a great option for those needing to send off quick updates to the team or to communicate new processes and ideas.  To keep a sense of trust and camaraderie within a team, use video whenever possible.

Unlike audio communication, face-to-face interactions provide more engagement. You can ensure your team is focused on the conversation at hand, nodding in approval or looking for clarification. These nonverbal cues allow for clearer and more concise communication. 

Video also allows you to support your message with visual storytelling. Tools like the ScreenPal’s screen recorder enables you to capture your webcam and computer screen at the same time. You can present with the face-to-face emotional interaction while also providing graphics and data to reinforce your message. Video creation can assist every department in the business, from sales and marketing to customer support and product development.

3. Work Offline

You’re halfway through your web-based project when suddenly, nothing. Spinning wheels and error messages: you are no longer connected to the internet. With millions of more people using their home internet and wifi, the system is bound to be taxed. When you can, it’s best to work offline.

Working offline has several benefits. First, it’s less distracting. Working offline prevents social media scrolling, email distractions, and keeps you focused on the task at hand. While you’ll need to be online for most of the day, turn it off for an hour or two to power through essential projects.

Offline projects give your computer a break, increasing processor speeds and saving battery. While offline video platforms are rare, you can download and install ScreenPal to work anytime and anywhere. You can record your webcam, screen, and use the video editor offline. When finished, save the video to your device and then upload it anywhere you’d like once you’re back online.

4. Create a Comfortable Workspace

One of the biggest keys to working from home is creating a comfortable workspace. This space should be as removed from daily life as possible. Most of us don’t have an extra room waiting to be used just for this occasion. However, you can take a corner of a room as the office space. Do your best to stay off your bed, couch, or other places associated with leisure time.

Our homes can be chaotic, and it can show in the backgrounds of our web cameras. If you’re worried about the mess of dishes or dirty clothes behind your head, change the background. Yes, it’s that simple. ScreenPal has a green screen tool to remove backgrounds.  You can then replace it with a new image or video background. You can keep it traditional or have some fun and put yourself on the beach. It’s your chance to get creative.

With the right plan and technology, you can be productive working from home. In fact, studies find remote work can be more productive. Without a commute, workers start earlier and end the workday later. And without your chatty coworker to distract you, there’s an opportunity to use your time to produce higher quality work in a shorter amount of time. 

ScreenPal is here to help you and your team work together. With easy to understand how-to guides, you’ll capture and edit your first video in no time. Video will empower you to communicate with your team efficiently and maintain your workplace productivity.