Helpful Tips to Navigate Working from Home
So, you’re working from home (WFH) for an extended period of time? Maybe you’ve already done it before, but WFH because of Coronavirus might feel like a whole new world. Why? It’s sudden and here to stay for the time being.
At DigitalTreehouse, we’re used to WFH, maybe even experts at this point. Our team is located throughout the US, so working from home, for the most part, is the name of the game so we’re here to help you!
Believe it or not but before Coronavirus, WFH was quite common. According to Condeco, nearly 40% of companies now offer work-at-home positions. What does this mean?
You can do this!
Everyone is different from personality to lifestyle to the type of work you do. Not everything is going to work the same for everyone, and you will most definitely need to change some of your current habits and routines to make WFH successful for you.
Since we have the knowledge, we want to share it with you to help you get your work done and maintain your mental well-being. Check out our top 5 tips for staying productive while working from home.
1. Create A Routine
While WFH create transitions ‘into’ and ‘out’ of work.
In the morning, this may look like making coffee, exercising, getting dressed or getting caught up on the news, anything to ease yourself into your workday.
We forget that with our morning commute, our mind and body is getting ready to start working for the day. Don’t underestimate the power of either quietly or loudly psyching yourself up to get to work and start your day.
In the evening, this may look similar. You can do your daily exercise, scroll the news or social media, pack up your ‘home office’, or work on your newest hobby, again anything to allow your mind and body to decompress and end your workday.
This is truly important when WFH so that you can distinguish between working and actually being home - spending true quality time with those around you, making dinner, relaxing…etc.
2. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Whether you are an entry-level employee, manager or at the executive level, be sure to set clear expectations with each other. This can include weekly calls, video chats or virtual meetings to check-in on projects, assign tasks, letting your colleagues know what you’re working on, or to check-in and see how you all are actually doing.
Some thrive from interacting with colleagues, collaborating together or just socializing every day. Stay productive and sane at the same time by taking your emails or texts offline and hoping on a phone call or video chat.
You may find that while WFH, a short phone call or video chat can put you in the right mindset to get work done. Knowing what you all need to do and that you are all in this together may help with productivity.
3. Try to Not Get Too Distracted
You’re home, of course it’s going to be easy to get distracted. Our tip here is to take advantage of the fact that you are home but try not to get carried away.
This may look like taking breaks throughout your workday. Go ahead and put your laundry in or do the dishes, make yourself a nice lunch or relax for 15 minutes.
However, during your workday is not the time to clean out your closet or refrigerator or start dusting every surface in your home. If you are going to be home, do small, quick chores that help to break up your workday but don’t get you sidetracked.
4. Set Ground Rules with Those Around You/Make a Plan for your Children
You may find yourself working in the same space with your spouse or roommates or you may find that your children are home with you. In either situation, set ground rules or make a plan to ensure that you are able to be productive at your peak times.
When working with others, communicate what works best for you and what each of you may need. The more you communicate with each other the better. You may also find that what works for them may also work for you.
When working with children, make a plan for them. Bring out the puzzles, books, and kid-friendly streaming services or look into virtual play dates. There are numerous ways to keep them busy while you work.
This may mean that your schedule could change, don’t worry. Communicate this with managers or higher-uppers and let them know that your work hours could vary but that your work will still get done.
Be sure to create clear boundaries with those that you live with and then at the end of the day disconnect and give those people your full attention.
5. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
You may be new to this and just like with anything new that you start, it will take time for you to become really good at it. Don’t worry if it takes you awhile to get adjusted to being home while working, find a plan that works for you.
Because, one thing may work for someone else does not mean that it will work for you. Take the time to try out new things, maybe work during different set hours if you can, take more breaks throughout the day, call your colleagues, or work in different spaces in your home. You will know what works best for you!
Bottom line is that no matter what happens during the day, try your best to set a schedule for yourself. This way you can have a balance between work and life while home. When you turn on for work, work, and when you have finished with work, be done for the day, recharge and spend quality time with those around you, especially now.
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