As we discussed in the previous blog Work from Home is not unusual anymore. It has even become the new norm now. Indeed, millions of employees around the world were asked to work remotely to protect themselves from the pandemic.
In such a situation, the question arises how
do you keep yourself motivated and be productive?
Here’s I’ve picked up form many leaders, these seven strategies now
serve as a roadmap that helps to stay productive.
I hope they help you! If you’re feeling the need to be productive during
the COVID-19 pandemic…
1. Focus on Priorities
Location
shouldn’t matter as long as the work gets done, especially now. Employees
should think about what work needs to get done, in what order, and how they
should tackle that work. Managers, on the other hand, should think about the
work that must be produced today while keeping an eye on what’s on the horizon.
Combined, this strategy helps set realistic priorities while reducing stress
and burnout.
2. Boost Communication
For a
remote workforce to be successful, strong communication is key. So, managers must
integrate communications technology like Slack, Trello, Basecamp, and Zoom. By
leveraging these tools effectively and in a balanced manner, managers can
easily check-in with employees – perhaps even more often than they did when
sharing an office. The win-win: this boost in communication builds even
stronger working relationships across the organization.
3. Adopt New Approaches
As
the world of work changes, managers must change their approach. True, we’re no
longer in the same office. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to build
mutually-beneficial, one-on-one relationships. One example is making remote
work feel more human. Other approaches range from more informal meetings (just
to connect), to co-created checklists and to-do lists (to build autonomy).
Bottom line: The same rigid approaches to work we used to rely on may not work
well now.
4. Set Clear Expectations
Clearly
stating expectations and setting common goals is more important now than ever.
Just as vital: A clear of understanding of how work will be measured. This will
help ensure everyone understands what productivity looks like. At this time,
being autocratic may not be the right answer. So welcome input and questions.
After all, when managers encourage curiosity it naturally empowers each of us
to do good work.
5. Offer Respectful Radical Candor
Managers
and leaders must lead by example. So, no more excuses to others — or ourselves
— as to why we can’t get work done. To excel, we must be honest about why we
can’t be efficient during these times. Let’s accept responsibility and ditch
the lies to hack productivity. Let’s consistently offer respectful radical candor.
We can then co-create solutions to the challenges we face. By working together,
we can overcome whatever keeps us from being productive.
6. Use Stress to Your Advantage
Not
all stress is bad stress. Some stressors actually motivate us to better
maintain our focus, stimulating a better work performance with goals and
deadlines at the forefront. Of course, sometimes stress becomes too
overwhelming. When that happens, take a deep breath. Refocus on the highest
priorities. Where possible, reset expectations. By focusing on an employee’s
strengths rather than what feels like a weakness during stressful moments,
managers can help reduce the bad kinds of stress. And use the good for good.
7. Employ Empathy
Remote
work has always meant a flexible work location, work schedule, and dress code.
But now, empathy plays a role in flexibility. Today, many of us must think
about the pressures of working from home. We must integrate family
responsibilities, distance or hybrid learning for children, and other life
commitments. Showing empathy, and specifically knowing what each of us might be
going through during the COVID-19 crisis, helps maintain – and even improves –
our work culture.
Leverage
these seven strategies. Enable a positive company culture.
In
all this, stay positive, stay productive, and stay healthy. Remember to never,
ever give up.
I
would also like to hear from you all what strategies are been adopted by you too
stay productive.
Thanking
you all!!
