For many, the idea of working from home sounds great. In light of recent events, many Americans are being asked or volunteering to now work remotely in an effort to promote social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Most of us already know how to do our jobs well, but how do we continue to lead a normal work life and do our jobs well if we’ve never worked from home before?
Here are five tips we can try for those of us now working from home.
1. Create A “Dedicated” Workspace And Setup Your Tech
Because technology makes remote work possible, bringing things like your laptop, chargers, phone, mouse, keyboard, and monitors from your workplace is a good idea and doesn’t can usually be setup in your “home office” the same day. Most employers will help accommodate your tech needs so that you can work from home, so ask your supervisor or IT department for the equipment you need to do your work.
If you rely on software or applications you need to do your job (like Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, etc.) ask your IT department, and they should be able to install or give you access to the applications you need.
When setting up a “dedicated” workspace at home, house a room or space away from common areas (like the kitchen or living room) to minimize distractions. We all know a certain someone in our homes that loves an opportunity to tear through the room at any given moment and distract our current train of thought.
2. Plan and Schedule Your Workday
At our jobs (even in an office setting) we have daily routines. Trying to maintain those during your work-from-home days can be difficult unless we start by blocking off time to get certain tasks done.
If you typically spend the first hour of your morning returning phone calls or checking and responding to emails, we need to get in the habit of doing that at home, too. Set aside time for breaks and lunch just as you normally would and take them fully away from your workspace and devices.
Make a list of the top three things you want to get done today, and go to work on the first one right away. Distraction can be the number one enemy of a productive work day from home.
3. Schedule Regular Check-ins and Video Conferences
We are social creatures. Working from home can leave us feeling disconnected from reality unless we maintain a rhythm of connection with others, especially if we live alone and aren’t able to visit friends and family regularly. For you and I, regular social interactions are essential for mental and emotional health.
With your employer, choose a channel of communication, such as Hangouts, Google Duo, Slack, or texting, and schedule some online social time to decompress, interact, vent, or collaborate on your current project(s).
Video hangouts or conferences can be a fun and healthy way to stay connected with your co-workers during your new routine of working from home.
4. Stick To That Morning Routine
As tempting as it is to skip your morning routine, grab a coffee and bagel, and sit at the computer in your pajamas – don’t do it! Routines help prepare us for our day and set the tone of the quality of work we will carry through our work hours.
So let’s remember to stick to our morning routine whether that’s a shower, working out, a morning walk or dressing our best so that we can perform optimally throughout the day.
5. Avoiding Those Household Distractions Is A Must
Establishing office hours and treating your home as though it were your workplace during that time frame is essential. This means informing your now-homeschooled-littles and/or significant other know that during “working hours” you are working. It means ignoring those dishes that are staring you in the face or that load of laundry that keeps piling up and waiting until you “clock-out” to take care of household chores.
By keeping office hours and not tackling home chores during your workday, you will be less likely to work intermittently for 12 hours. Get the work done and get back to living life.
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Call us today at: (920) 596-3355
Sandie (Sandra) Wilz is the owner and an agent at Eastling Insurance in Manawa, Wisconsin. She is passionate about educating clients and prospects on what their insurance coverages mean and how having the correct coverage can give the client the peace of mind they would expect from their insurance protection. Sandie can be reached at (920) 596-3355.