Working from home was once a fantasy that a lot of us probably dreamt of on several occasions throughout the span of our careers. If you are in a position mostly connected to a computer and desk, you were likely mandated to work remotely during this time of self-quarantine and social distancing.
Working from home can give off this false sense of freedom. If you’re not accustomed to it, it can actually disrupt your productivity that you would otherwise have in the office. So, how are you adjusting to working from home? How are you holding yourself accountable when no one else is watching?
My biggest advice to anyone now working from home would be to recreate your work space at home. Practice and mimic the same habits you have in the office inside your home. It seems silly, but try and maintain that similar structure and routine. With structure and routine you’re less likely to slack off. Once things do return to [somewhat] normal, you’ll be able to transition seamlessly into a work routine because you never really got out of rhythm.
1. Wake up at your normal time.
Keeping your alarm set for the time you’d normally start your day is key. While you may have gotten up at a certain hour to account for commute and travel time, use those extra minutes to dedicate to personal advancement. Maybe now you have 30 extra minutes to get a workout in, eat a proper breakfast, read, journal, or finish your laundry for example. The extra time is a gift–use it while you have it.
2. Get Dressed.
This is purely psychological, but shower and get “presentable.” It’s not necessary to put on actual work clothes and put on a full face of make-up, but at least get yourself ready enough to be seen by the public. Getting dressed to work from home will keep you focused, create boundaries (between your work hours and when you’re off), boost your productivity, and will help you maintain a professional perception. Not to mention if you have to hop on a video call for any reason (like I a lot of the times do), you’ll be prepared.
3. Prepare Your Work Space.
Your designated work space at home is going to look different from everyone else’s. Whether you actually have an office space, a desk/chair in your bedroom, the kitchen table, wherever, prepare it so it emulates your work space at the office. Declutter that space and make room for only the items you need: laptop, notebooks, sticky notes, pens, water, garbage can, phone, charger, lamp, snacks, etc. Prepare the area in a way that you have everything you need.
4. No TV.
Your home work space may also be the same place your TV sits. I challenge you not to turn it on until your work day is complete. I turn my TV off just before I clock in and I won’t turn it back on until I’ve clocked out. I wouldn’t have the TV on in the office, so I don’t have it on here in my apartment. Plus, you’ll want to be conscientious of the energy you’re using up being at home around the clock.
5. Take Breaks.
I suck at this, but if I did it I’d be a better human being. Take a freaking break if you can. If it is pretty out, go outside for 10 minutes and change up the scenery. Walk around for a bit. Stretch your legs. Call your parents, they probably miss you. Come back and prepare your lunch because surely you’ve got food at home. Pull yourself away from the computer screen frequently throughout the day to prevent eye strain and headaches!
6. Go To Bed Early.
Working from home doesn’t mean you fall back into bad habits. Don’t stay up all night (unless you’ve got a side hustle or project deadline) scrolling through social media or watching Netflix. Really try to find ways to engage in a healthy nighttime routine so you can be as rested and restored as possible the next morning. I personally turn off my TV one hour before I plan to hit the bed. In that one hour I’ll typically clean up any little messes I made that day, meal prep for the following day, wash my face/brush my teeth, journal (if I didn’t get to it in the morning), so on and so forth.
Some of these tips are easier said than done. The more effort you put into adjusting some of the habits you currently have, the easier it will be. Despite this major halt and detour 2020 has taken, you still have the opportunity to have a kick-ass year!
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This is also a quick-read article on more tips to stay productive while working from home!
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