Work From Home Tips!
So I’ve been working from home full time for the last three years. I thought I might provide some tips for those of you experiencing the joys of remote working for the first time during the #covid-19 pandemic crisis:
1. Set up a dedicated workspace. Even if you’re tight on space having a spot dedicated only to work will help create some psychological separation between your work and home environments. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate — a table in the corner of a room might be enough. Even If you have an ‘office’ space in your house if you’re not doing work for your day job typically in that space you might have difficulty adjusting.
Set some rules for yourself so that you’re not entertaining yourself or relaxing in that spot. Also make sure any work you do is done in that spot only. With this initial discipline you’ll be surprised how your brain will focus better on work activities when you’re in the work spot.
2. If you work primarily on a laptop I would consider getting yourself an external monitor, keyboard and mouse so you’re not hunched over the computer all day. It really makes a difference for both eyestrain and neck/back pain. There are some decent name brand 1080p monitors for around $100-$150. Keyboards and mice are pretty affordable too. Some fancier monitors will also power your USB-C / Thunderbolt laptop and provide additional USB ports.
3. Kids .. This one is tougher especially if your work spot is in the general living area. If you have kids finding a more remote place in the house to put your work spot might be best. I work in my basement and the kids know that when I’m down there I should not be disturbed. That works most of the time 🙂.
Now that e-learning is rolling out in many school districts we will be setting up a learning spot for Keira to do her work away from her play area with the hope that she’ll be spending a few hours a day on school work off and on.
4. Develop a morning and evening routine similar to your normal work habits. You’ve probably heard this before but it really works — get up at the same time you usually do — have your coffee, breakfast, etc. And most of all : take a shower and get dressed. It really does make a difference.
5. Try to keep regular working hours: It helps to set a “hard out” time for ending the day. Often it’s easy to just keep working because there’s no commute but you really need to stop at around the same time you usually do and switch out of work mode. If you’re a manager respect that time of your employees and really ask yourself if it’s necessary to call after working hours on an issue that can wait until the morning.
6. Take breaks — similar to break schedules at your current job. Use that time to get outside for a walk or just some fresh air.
7. Snacks and food : keep them away from your workspot. Water / coffee is fine but noshing snacks in your workspot will take you out of the zone and impact health. Keep them far away and only eat when you’re on a break or done for the day. This one I know is easier said than done.
8. Connect with co-workers in video chats vs. conference calls- Many of us thrive on the social relationships we have with co-workers and this is the hardest part adjusting to telecommuting. While we can’t set up lunches and coffees right now what you can do is connect on Skype and other video conferencing tools to have face-to-face interactions. They are far less frustrating and productive than voice-only solutions given we can communicate verbally and visually. If you have a favorite co-worker dial them up and have them in the room with you while you work. Not every call has to be for a specific reason.
Let me know some of your tips!
