Working Remotely — 4 Key Ways Government Employees Can Heighten Productivity
Lottie is a freelance writer who contributes to a number of websites, writing about topics that are close to her heart. When she’s not sitting in front of her laptop, she enjoys spending time exploring the great outdoors with her husband, two daughters, and their German Shepherd.
60% of managers are concerned that workers are less productive when working remotely, while 62% of workers say they feel more productive when working remotely, according to one Owl Lab study of 2,050 full-time American workers. For those with a government career, working remotely can be rewarding while also presenting a variety of challenges due to the high-stress nature of such jobs. Successfully elevating productivity can be done in a variety of powerful ways — from simply following a routine schedule to harnessing the power of setting goals.
Prioritizing self care
While rewarding, government careers can be stressful, especially if the job requires long hours or an abundance of responsibility. According to a survey from Eagle Hill Consulting, 52% of government employees say they are burned out from their jobs. Due to the nature of the work, avoiding burnout by prioritizing self care is imperative — even when working remotely. This involves building time for yourself into your daily routine, whether it be a thirty minute reading session before bed, twenty minutes of yoga in the morning, or a couple of hours set aside for watching your favorite TV show. With that in mind, however, prioritizing self care goes well beyond making time for what you enjoy, as it also extends to the effects that diet can have on productivity as well.
A 2014 Harvard Business Review (HBR) post underlines the link between diet and productivity. “Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance, which is why a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon.” The HBR article goes on to give a brief rundown on the matter, pointing out that everything we eat is converted by our body into glucose, “which provides the energy our brains need to stay alert.” When running low on glucose, aspects that are key to productivity — such as focus and attention — tend to drift. Unhealthy options can be quick and easy (especially when there is plenty of work to do), though planning out your meals ahead of time can put healthy choices at the forefront of your day without opting for whatever is convenient at the moment. Planning regular, balanced, and healthy meals (as well as snacks) throughout the day will help ensure that your body is properly fueled and geared towards heightened productivity.
The undeniable value of proper rest
Sleep also impacts cognitive function — research at the Hult International Business School led by Professor Vicki Culpin explored the potentially damaging effects of sleep deprivation among professionals, with Culpin and her team monitoring sleep behavior of individuals in organizations of varying sizes and sectors. Research findings are outlined in the report titled The Wake-up Call: The importance of sleep in organizational life. Regarding performance and productivity, it’s noted that healthy adults should get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night (with a recommended range between seven and eight hours) as per the American Academy of Sleep Science. According to Hult’s research, however, the professionals surveyed averaged only six hours and 28 minutes. As a result, many respondents reported “poorer workplace performance due to tiredness, with over half admitting to struggling to stay focused in meetings, taking longer to complete tasks, and finding it challenging to generate new ideas.”
For individuals working remotely, getting enough sleep can easily become a challenge — especially when structure in daily life is lacking. For example, those with flexible working hours may stay up late to get things done, thus disrupting a normal and healthy sleeping schedule. Creating boundaries between work and home, however, can help make a difference — turning on ‘do not disturb’ settings, or even refraining from checking email past a certain time can help in cultivating an effective nighttime routine that is conducive to sleep.
remote government employees can effectively create a lifestyle and at-home environment that is conducive to heightened productivity levels.
LOTTIE WESTFIELD
Following a set schedule
Working remotely provides an array of benefits, from the convenience of no commute to the comfort of working in your own home. However, getting away from the office also allows for a lack of routine to guide the day — thus hindering productivity. For those working in government positions that allow for full autonomy regarding a work schedule, it’s imperative to realize that structure can be wildly beneficial in heightening productivity. A Forbes article by Forbes Council Member Wayne Elsey addresses the undeniable value of structure in relation to productivity. “Think about it. If you rise every morning and you have to make a mountain of decisions, you’ll feel weighted. However, if you wake and know what happens next, your brain can focus on what needs to get done.”
Elsey further notes that having structure and routine work to create such a mindset that promotes elevated productivity. When working from home, defining your working hours is the first step in cultivating a routine. From there, you can fill in the blanks accordingly — if your working hours begin at nine in the morning, making it a point to wake at seven will allow you to have a complete morning routine that can set the stage for a successful workday. Having a complete and balanced breakfast, a short workout, etc. can all fit into the creation of a daily regime.
Addressing the work environment
When aiming to boost productivity as a government employee that works from home, addressing the home office is crucial — especially when considering the fact that many remote workers choose to work anywhere but a desk. In fact, 45% of American teleworkers regularly work from a couch, while 38% regularly work from bed and 20% often work outside, according to a study by CraftJack. Such locations can hinder workplace productivity by allowing for distractions to take over, while areas like the bed should only be associated with rest. A proper home office setup, however, will effectively minimize distractions and allow for utmost focus. When setting up an effective workspace, minimizing distractions can be done by designating a quiet area of the home for work, in addition to the use of a comfortable chair and spacious desk.
When looking for more tips to improve productivity regarding your home office, online blogs can prove to be particularly useful in gaining inspiration. This can be particularly helpful in regard to interior design elements such as wall colors and interior schemes, flooring, the integration of ergonomic furniture, and decor considerations that flow with the rest of your home, allowing you to create a space that you want to work in. By finding guidance when making your home office a more inviting place to work, you can effectively boost your productivity by way of motivation.
In a remote government position, garnering productivity is essential in order to get the job done as efficiently as possible. However, the high-stress nature of the job coupled with the freedom and flexibility of remote work can create challenges. By prioritizing self care, proper sleep, a regular schedule and a designated workspace, remote government employees can effectively create a lifestyle and at-home environment that is conducive to heightened productivity levels.
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