Remote work has become a norm in recent years, and it has brought a new set of challenges, including how to look busy while you’re working and while you’re not working. In this digital age, it’s crucial to maintain a professional image, especially when working from home.
And while it may be interesting for people wanting to take an easy day at home seeing how you can seem productive, it is just as important for “hard workers”. Appearance is important and looking busy when working from home is important for both employers and employees.
In this article, I will be discussing various tips and tricks on how to look busy when working from home. Regardless of whether you actually doing any work or want to impress with your actual hard work.
One of the keys to appearing busy when you’re working from home is to maintain a consistent schedule. This means waking up and starting work at the same time every day, taking breaks at the same times, and ending your workday at a consistent time. By doing this, you’ll establish a routine that makes it easier for you to focus on work. This will make you feel busy and productive throughout the day.
Below you can find some easy tips to add to your schedule which will make you seem busier when working from home. And this is both good for your appearance and sense of productivity.
- You can add to that routine by setting up a home office. Having a designated work area can also help to create a sense of separation between work and leisure time. By setting up a dedicated workspace, you can mentally prepare yourself for the workday and switch off when it’s time to relax.
- Additionally, it is important to dress as if you were going into the office, even though you’re working from home. This helps to get you in the right mindset for work and projects a professional image to others. If you want to appear busy don’t work in your pajamas.
- One of the biggest challenges of working from home is avoiding distractions. To combat this, it is essential to limit your exposure to distractions like social media, TV, and other leisure activities. You can achieve this by scheduling designated break times throughout the day, or by using tools like website and app blockers to restrict access during work hours.
- This is mostly for your own sake. If you want to appear busy, make sure the background of your home office signals professionalism and productivity. If you have a special theme like a Star Wars home office, you might want to avoid placing Darth Vader memorable in the background.
- Incorporating physical activity into your routine is another effective way to look busy and increase productivity. Taking short breaks for exercises like stretching, yoga, or going for a walk can help refresh your mind and recharge your energy levels. This will not only make you look busy, but it will also help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day.
- Finally, it is important to communicate your schedule and availability to your colleagues, especially if you’re working on a virtual team. This ensures that everyone is aware of when you’re working, when you’re available for meetings, and when you’re off-duty. By doing this, you can prevent others from interrupting your work and ensure that you’re not expected to be available 24/7.
In conclusion, looking busy when working from home is all about establishing a routine and sticking to it, creating a dedicated workspace, limiting distractions, incorporating physical activity, and communicating your schedule and availability.
Especially communicating this schedule is crucial as this will make people notice how busy you are when working from home.
Video meetings let you coworkers see how busy you are
Let’s be honest, video meetings are excellent tools for remote workers. Not only does it allow you to communicate with your team and colleagues, but it also allows you to showcase your work environment and make it look like you’re working.
Additionally, video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype allow you to record your meetings, which can be used as proof that you were working during specific times. However, that would probably not be necessary. It would be quite extreme to need to use video evidence to prove your working hours.
Video meetings can also help you stay organized and on track. By setting reminders for meetings in your calendar, you can ensure that you’re always prepared and ready to participate. By knowing that you need to show up and be professional for an online meeting you will be much more productive. At least your mindset will be focused on appearing busy when working from home.
Additionally, many video conferencing tools include features like screen sharing, which allows you to demonstrate your work and showcase your progress.
Another benefit of video conferencing is that it can help to maintain the sense of camaraderie and collaboration that is often lost when working remotely. By participating in virtual meetings and conversations with your team, you can build and strengthen relationships with your colleagues, even when you’re not physically together.
And when doing so you can really show that you are busy. Regardless of whether you actually are.
Keep Your Workspace Clean and Tidy
Having a clean and organized workspace is crucial when working from home. Not only does it improve your focus and productivity, but it also makes it easier for you to switch gears and look busy if someone walks in or you need to take a video call. Ensure that your workspace is free of distractions, such as dirty dishes and piles of laundry.
One of the first steps in keeping your home office clean and tidy is to establish a routine. This may include dedicating time each day to declutter your desk, organize your files and folders, and tidy up your work area. By consistently maintaining this routine, you’ll ensure that your workspace is always ready for action, and you can easily switch into “work mode” whenever you need to.
In addition to decluttering and organizing your workspace, it’s also important to consider the aesthetics of your home office. This may include decorating your workspace with plants, pictures, or other items that make it feel warm and inviting. You can take inspiration from the so-called “hygge home office“.
You can also invest in ergonomic furniture and lighting to help create a comfortable and functional working environment.
Overall, keeping a clean and tidy home office is an important factor in appearing busy and professional while working from home. Whether you’re working hard or just trying to pretend to be busy when working from home, maintaining a well-organized workspace can help you to be more productive, focused, and efficient, and project a positive image to others.
You can get inspiration for this from the minimalist home office or Scandinavian home office design.
Stay busy with time-tracking tools
Time-tracking tools can help you stay on track and make it look like you’re working. These tools allow you to track how much time you’re spending on specific tasks and provide you with a report of your activity. This information can be used to show your team and managers how you’re spending your time and that you’re working efficiently.
Utilizing time-tracking tools is an effective way to manage your time and make it look like you’re working when you’re at home. Whether you’re working hard and trying to be productive, or simply trying to pretend to be working, these tools can help you to be more organized and efficient with your time.
In addition to providing a clear picture of your activity levels, time-tracking tools can also help you to be more productive and efficient with your time. By monitoring your time, you can identify areas where you may be spending too much time or where you may be able to streamline your work process. This can help you to focus on the most important tasks and prioritize your work, making it easier to get more done in less time.
And that is something all employers appreciate!
Another advantage of using time-tracking tools is that they can help you to manage your work-life balance. When you’re working from home, it can be tempting to work longer hours or to take more breaks than you would in an office environment.
By using a time-tracking tool, you can monitor your work habits and ensure that you’re not spending too much time working and not enough time taking care of your personal life.
Communicate with your team and show how busy you are
Regular communication with your team is crucial if you want to appear busy when working from home. Not only does it help you stay connected and on top of your work, but it also makes it easier to showcase your progress and look busy. Consider scheduling daily check-ins with your team or using instant messaging tools like Slack to stay in touch.
When working in an office environment, it’s easy for your colleagues to see what you’re working on, but when you’re working from home, it can be difficult for others to know what you’re up to. Regular communication helps to bridge that gap, allowing you to stay connected with your team, stay on top of your work, and show others that you’re productive and busy.
There are a variety of ways you can communicate regularly with your team, such as scheduling daily check-ins, using instant messaging tools, or even just sending regular email updates. The key is to find a communication method that works for you and your team and stick with it.
In addition to helping you look busy, regular communication can also help you stay accountable and focused on your work. It provides you with an opportunity to get feedback and support from your colleagues and to stay up-to-date on the latest projects and tasks.
Whether you’re working hard or just trying to look busy when working from home, regular communication is a crucial part of the equation. So, take the time to find a communication method that works for you and your team, and make sure you stay in touch on a regular basis.
Conclusion: How to look busy at home while you're working and while you're not working
In conclusion, appearing productive and busy while working from home can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to both work hard and look like you’re working hard. Whether you’re actually working or just pretending, maintaining a consistent schedule, utilizing video conferencing tools, keeping your workspace clean and tidy, taking notes and making lists, and communicating regularly with your team are all great ways to appear productive and professional.
All of this helps you if you are concerned about your appearance at home.
On the other hand, if you’re simply looking to pretend like you’re working, utilizing time-tracking tools and showcasing your organized workspace can help you appear busy even if you’re not actually doing any work. However, it’s important to remember that the goal is to be productive and maintain a professional image, not just to deceive others.
My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.