How can I work better from home?
Remote work was thrust upon many companies as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Some struggled to be as efficient as in the office, a source of frustration for employee and manager alike.
Can't I just work in the same way as in the office?
Before diving in headfirst, it's better to ask yourself how you function, and whether there are things you dislike about working in the office that you could change at home. That will help you to make choices based on what suits you best.
In short, be conscious of the differences between the two environments and establish your own rules. For example, agree with your partner or flatmate that you won't discuss work before breakfast or after the end of the working day.
Transition rituals can help. That means transitioning from a home atmosphere to a work atmosphere. If it's your dream to be in lounge wear all day, wearing joggers and a sweatshirt, then go for it. But if it makes you feel guilty and a bit lousy, then dress up as if you were going to the office.
There are plenty of other options too, like lighting a candle when you start working and blowing it out when you're done, or using a specific mug during working hours.
Isn't it difficult to get started when you're all alone?
It can be, but setting yourself a fixed schedule of working hours may help, as we tend to work better with a predefined time limit. If you have trouble sticking to it, plan another activity afterwards like a workout session or meet up with friends. That way you'll have no choice but to finish work at a certain time.
If you're not a morning person, try micro-progress. The technique involves breaking a task down. For example, write a report could consist of a number of micro-tasks like opening the document, naming it, writing a sentence, and so on. The brain responds to those micro-satisfactions and becomes more easily engaged.
You should also organise your tasks according to when you're most productive. If you're a morning person, schedule cognitively demanding tasks in the morning, such as writing, and more automatic and administrative tasks in the afternoon, or vice versa if you're more of an afternoon person.
What's the best space to use for remote work?
You'll want to define a dedicated space, preferably with good lighting. If that's a challenge, you could go to a cafe or the library instead. Try to avoid using the couch or your bed. Even if you work at the kitchen table, you can establish a symbolic ritual. When you finish working, remove everything work-related from the table and put on a tablecloth in preparation for dinner.
Make sure you take real breaks too, including a proper lunch break away from your laptop screen. It's important to take time to stop thinking about work, so your brain can reset. Cooking is very meditative, even if it's only for 15 minutes.
词汇表
remote work 远程办公
thrust upon [θrʌst] 强加于，仓促推行
pandemic [pænˈdemɪk] n. 大流行病，疫情
dive in headfirst [daɪv ɪn ˈhedfɜːst] 一头扎进，贸然开始
flatmate [ˈflætmеɪt] n. 室友，合租者
transition ritual [ˈrɪtʃuəl] 过渡仪式，转换习惯
lounge wear [laʊndʒ] n. 家居服，休闲服
jogger [ˈdʒɒɡə(r)] n. 慢跑裤，运动裤；慢跑者
sweatshirt [ˈswetʃɜːt] n. 运动衫，卫衣
lousy [ˈlaʊzi] adj. 糟糕的，差劲的，不舒服的
dress up 打扮，盛装，穿着正装
mug [mʌɡ] n. 马克杯，大杯子
fixed schedule [fɪkst ˈʃedjuːl] 固定日程，固定时间表
predefined time limit [ˌpriːdɪˈfaɪnd] 预设时限
meet up with 与…碰面，与…见面
micro-progress [ˈmaɪkrəʊ ˈprəʊɡres] n. 微进度
micro-task [ˈmaɪkrəʊ tɑːsk] n. 微任务
micro-satisfaction [ˈmaɪkrəʊ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃn] n. 微小的满足感
cognitively demanding [ˈkɒɡnətɪvli dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ] 认知要求高的，需要动脑筋的
automatic [ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk] adj. 流程化的，机械性的，不经思考的
administrative [ədˈmɪnɪstrətɪv] adj. 行政的，管理的
vice versa [ˌvaɪsə ˈvɜːsə] adv. 反之亦然
dedicated space [ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd] 专门区域，专属空间
preferably [ˈprefrəbli] adv. 最好，更可取地
tablecloth [ˈteɪblklɒθ] n. 桌布，台布
reset [ˌriːˈset] vt. 重置，重启，使恢复状态
meditative [ˈmedɪtətɪv] adj. 静心的，冥想的
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