7 TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME DURING COVID-19 (AND BEYOND)

Prior to this year, working from home was a luxury available to just a few people. However, by the time COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the number of people working from home rose significantly.

Research released by the PEW Research Center on 20 March 2020, shows that only about 7% of Americans working in private industry had access to a "flexible workplace" (telework) benefit in 2019, and as low as 4% in state/local government. I would venture to say that those numbers are even lower in Caribbean countries and territories.

Today, however, the majority of the work force has moved home in an effort to practise social distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19. Instead of office desks and swivel chairs, dining tables and sofas are the new work spaces.

Whether this phenomena will make telework a benefit available to more than just a few as this World Economic Forum article suggests, is still left to be seen. What we do know is that for many this is the current reality.

While I have been working from home for the past 8 years as a management consultant, leadership trainer, writer and work & life coach, I still have to make adjustments within our COVID-19 context. The tips I share here will be relevant now and well into the future. Review them, test them out and tweak them to make them work for you.

7 C's FOR WORKING FROM HOME

1. CREATE A ROUTINE

Having a routine helps you transition in and out of work-mode. For example, you might transition into the workday by starting with your devotions and a morning cup of tea or coffee. Once you’re finished for the day, recap what you’ve accomplished and outline what you will focus on for the next day.

This type of routine signals closure and helps you to move on to other activities such as spending time with family, exercise or other activities to help you wind down.

2. COMMUNICATE LIKE CRAZY

With the recent work from home transition, it’s very likely that you are not doing this solo. And if you’re working as part of a team there are some specific things you’ll want to keep in mind to keep those lines of communication open. Project manager, Christa Hutchins offers more detailed tips for the relational side of working from home when you’re part of a team here.

The key is to manage expectations (yours and your team's) by communicating regularly and openly.

3. CAPITALIZE ON TECHNOLOGY

In order to work from home successfully you’ll need to rely on technology to stay connected, submit your work and yes, improve your productivity. Your company might already have guidelines or recommended services in place, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with those first.

If you have freedom to choose your own apps and services do your research to find the ones that suit your working style and will boost your productivity. Keep in mind that they may need to be compatible with what your clients and colleagues may be using.

Another benefit of using services such as video conferencing apps is that you stave off isolation, which is a very real concern when working from home.

4. CREATE A DEDICATED WORK SPACE

Your workspace should have as few distractions as possible. For radio personality and writer, Nicki Schroeder a clean desk is important. Having worked from home for more than ten years, Nicki knows what works for her. “If it’s chaotic it feeds my mind with chaos and distractions. When it’s clean – even if it means I have to take all the stuff and put it in a pile on the floor out of eyesight – it helps me stay focused.”

Debi Stangeland who has worked from home for over 13 years agrees that a dedicated workspace is a non-negotiable for her as well. “I need to spread out and a place to walk away from.”

5. CONCENTRATE ON ASSIGNMENTS

Concentrate on those assignments by setting clear boundaries and making the most of the time you have available for work.

Elisa Pulliam who is an author and Christian life coach has been working from home for 20 years since her oldest was born. According to her, “the most important step in resolving the work-from-home tension is around clear understanding for yourself and those you do life with in regards to your work that is “interruptable.”

If you will be frustrated by an interruption, your best choice is to relocate from common spaces. Setting up mini-office spaces throughout the home can make this relocation possible as schedules change throughout the day.”

6. CONTINUE HEALTHY HABITS

Healthy habits such as proper hydration, occasional breaks and good posture should be maintained when you work from home.

Author Sarah Geringer says she fends off sluggishness by setting a timer every 45 minutes. She then stares out her windows at faraway objects, giving her eyes a much-needed break from the screen -- something she’s learned over her 13 years working from home.

“I also walk briskly around the house for a few minutes or do some jumping jacks to get my blood flowing. I purchased a walking desk to get some steps in while I’m working, and I spend a half-hour each afternoon on my treadmill while I read books on my Kindle.”

Your healthy habits might look different from Sarah’s but it's important to find what works for you and make it a priority for your own mental and physical well-being.

7. CELEBRATE YOUR WINS

Like anything else, working from home means you’ll experience both successes and failures. Web designer Petra Molnár suggests giving yourself “permission to fail”. Be okay with making mistakes until you figure out the most suitable workday routine that’s possible under these new circumstances.

But also look for the wins.

Each day, each week, if you look for it, you’ll find at least one thing that went right. Doing so will keep you motivated and inspire you to show up for the next work day, week or month.

And while you might not be able to meet friends for coffee or drinks, you can still plan a virtual happy hour with friends or coworkers at the end of the week. Or perhaps your idea of celebrating is sleeping in a little later the next day. Look for your wins, choose how you will celebrate, and make it happen.

BONUS TIP: FIND YOUR COMMUNITY

If there’s one more thing I’d like for you to take away from this article is the fact that you’re not alone. It might feel like a lonely road but there is a growing number of women who are in a similar situation. I know because I talk with them every day in our Women Winning & Working from Home group.

I created the Women Winning & Working from Home group because there's a need for support, accountability and community. It might feel like we’re living in unsettled times and that survival is the order of the day. But I’m convinced that together we can do more than just survive, we can thrive!

Daily, I see women sharing their struggles and receiving support, advice and a listening ear from other women in the group. We set weekly goals, celebrate each other’s wins, and even work together. (Did someone say virtual co-working session?). You're invited to join us in this private group, by sending a request to join here.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Now it’s your turn, which of the above tips do you need to take for a spin? Have you found other ways to work from home that works for you? Feel free to share them in the comments. And don’t forget to join us in the private group for women working from home.

For further details on each of theses tips, see 7 Smart Ways to Work from Home.

About Marva Titley-Smith

Marva is a management consultant, leadership trainer, work & life strategist, and writer. She is passionate about equipping, inspiring and empowering women to thrive in areas of life they value most, and does this through her courses, coaching and online community.

Connect with Marva on her website MarvaSmith.com and on your favourite online space such as Facebook and Instagram at @marvatsmith.