Get Fascinating Results Out Of Your Day: 10 Powerful Important Lessons Working From Home

The quarantine can be tough for many.

I know a lot of you are transitioning into working from home as we find solutions with the coronavirus situation.

I wrote this for a client and was asked by a friend to share.

I worked from home for the past 16 years, even before being an entrepreneur so here are my tips on how to keep your sanity over the long haul.

Again this is just my personal advice. Please let me know in the comments if you have any tips of your own to add.

1) Define A Dedicated Workspace

Find an area in your house that you will define as your working area. I suggest that it's not your favorite space within the house, but rather an area you will use strictly for work.

I prefer a room with natural light.

Whatever works for you, make sure you are consistent in sticking to that area for work activities.

2) Be Intentional About Scheduling

Be intentional about your scheduling.

Sometimes when working from home you can get so involved in the work going through back to back meetings or projects, you haven't taken time to eat or take a break.

In the long run, it's important to schedule breaks, your lunch, and organize your time.

3) Schedule Meetings For 45 Minutes Instead of 60 Minutes

Try to schedule meetings for 45 minutes instead of 60 minutes. Meetings have a tendency to run longer than usual. You might find yourself logging off one zoom call, and immediately logging into another one with little time to prepare.

With an extra 15 minutes available, you can use this time to clear your mind, read notes, use the restroom, read and respond to emails, and more.

4) Block At Least 1 Hour A Day To Strategize And Plan

Block out at least 1 hour a day during your day to just organize, strategize and do emails. Strategy is crucial and emails easily get backed up.

If you don’t build this hour into your day, you will find yourself adding it later on in your day, making your working hours longer than they need to be.

5) Stay Within Your Workspace

Stay out of your favorite space. This goes back to tip #1.

When you work in an office all day, it's easy and convenient sometimes to respond to an email when you get home while laying in bed or hanging out in your favorite space.

Even cranking an hour or so every once in a while isn't that bad.

The challenge is when your home is also your office you will need to have very clearly defined spaces to create balance.

You need to protect that "favorite" space.

This is important for later on after the workday when you will need somewhere to retreat to for your own mental and emotional health.

6) Avoid Burnout By Setting Boundaries

Protect yourself from burnout by setting boundaries with your time, and workspaces.

I already touched on this in tip #1 but create your work and non-work spaces.

When you work from home it sounds easy to just add one more thing to your plate.

"Hey, it's not like I have the 45-minute commute so I can add that on my things to do".

The problem is without boundaries, you're going to be overworking which isn't productive.

Believe me.

You, your family, and ultimately your organization will appreciate you setting boundaries.

7) Stand Up As Much As Possible

Try to stand up as much as possible.

This a game-changer for your energy.

Without an awareness of it, we stand and walk a lot while at the office or our place of work.

Just walking to the restroom or the break room gives us a nice break and brings back our energy.

8) Take A Real Lunch Break

Take a real lunch break.

I know a lot of you usually eat while working or carving out a quick 15 minutes during your day. It's an important self-care practice to take a real lunch.

You can go for a walk outside (while practicing social distancing), call a friend and catch up, watch a video on YouTube, or anything else that gets your mind off things.

Use this time to refresh yourself and your brain.

9) Inform Family Members Of Your Working Rules

Working from home can be difficult when living with others, especially family members.

It is confusing to your partner and kids, considering they are used to spending time together while at home and having full access to you.

Share your schedule, plan activities during non-work hours, and use your lunch break.

Let them know ahead of time you will be unavailable until 5, but you will be playing a board game, reading, or watching a movie together after dinner.

10) Always Change Your Clothes While Working

This may sound funny but take a shower and put on some different clothes.

I'm not saying it's necessary to get into your full power suit but changing into some new clothes, even a t-shirt and shorts, will have you feeling refreshed and keeping some separation for working while at home.

You will need to have something to transition into at the end of the day. Working from home, especially under quarantine can cause all your days to blend together and feel the same.

Create something that allows you to transition back and forth between work and being at home.

In Summary:

I hoped some tips helped! Please let me know any additional thoughts or tips in the comments below.

About The Author:

Jahmad got his start in Higher Education over a decade ago, his endless dedication to empowerment and education for all people has allowed him the privilege to work with schools, districts, colleges, communities and corporations around the world. 

Internationally known as a retention specialist, culture transformation consultant, masterful storyteller, and author Jahmad focuses on helping people and organizations accomplish their goals and fulfill their potential.

Visit potential-unleashed.com to learn more.