Get Working Again! (from home)

Let’s be honest. Working from home during CoronaVirus is hard. It takes some extreme willpower to get out of bed. But life must go on.

When you’re having one of those days, here are 10 sure ways to get you back on track:

Get dressed.

Congrats, you can work from home! So you thought you could stay in your pajamas all day? Wrong. Research shows the ritual of getting dressed can impact your mindset and your productivity levels. Good news is, you can get away with some more comfortable clothing, but don’t stay in your pajamas. Reserve those for when you’re actually ready to sleep.

Get high. On oxygen.

For years I watched my mom spring out of bed and do jumping jacks first thing in the morning. Somehow she knew what the experts recommended: “When you exercise, you [are] increasing blood flow to the brain, which can help sharpen your awareness.” For me, I’m even more motivated if I can do this outdoors. The bite of the crisp morning air jolts me awake and I have a moment of peace as I appreciate how beautiful it is to be alive and outdoors. 

Break-your-fast.

"The World Health Organization estimates that a good breakfast can boost productivity levels by a whopping 20 percent." Give yourself a physical and mental boost by eating something you'd be excited to eat in the morning (bonus points if it's rich in nutrients). Each morning I look forward to brewing a cup of coffee just the way I like it -- french roast in my pour over into my beautiful Japanese ceramic mug. Then I pair it with a savory bite which helps me feel fueled and ready to start my day.

Love your workspace.

If you’re going to hunker down for hours, you need a space that is effective and enjoyable! First organize. Ensure your workspace is free of clutter. Have the supplies you’ll need organized and at-the-ready. Find a place that lifts your spirits. For some it may be a place with natural lighting and a white board, for others, a comfy couch and some hot tea. For me a pop of flowers from my garden does the job. Feel free to vary your workspace. I work from a laptop working from room to room, for a change of scene and to be behind closed doors for phone calls. I also take advantage of natural lighting for video calls. It's a real treat when I can take calls from my hammock.

Ask for help.

It may seem daunting to carry on as normal. That’s because these are not normal times! Whether it is shifting work needs, caring for an elder or child, making it to the grocery, dealing with stress, or all of the above, you are not alone. The best way to get out of your head is to reach out. Order delivery. Commiserate with each other. Share glimmers of hope. Whether it’s appreciating supportive employers and colleagues. Celebrating neighbors sharing food and toilet paper. Lifting up teachers going above and beyond to support home-based instruction. Each provides much needed counterbalance to the doom and gloom. 

Connect virtually.

In this time of uncertainty, it may be tempting to put all meetings on hold and just stay in bed. Believe me, I’ve been there. Instead, what got me out of my rut was emailing people I had meetings scheduled with. Through email, we showed care for each other, and kept most meetings on schedule by moving them to video conferencing or phone call. Now that so many of us are working alone at home, virtual meetings are critical to keeping us connected, and feeling useful, valued, accountable. 

Schedule your to-dos.

Without the structure of the office environment, it is easy to get distracted. Instead of cutting out the distractions, try compartmentalizing your time. Now that you don’t have a commute, you can make the most of your morning and schedule time for so called "distractions." I allow myself time in the morning to have breakfast with the family, tidy the house a bit, and get my daughter started on homeschool work. Then I can dive into work. For your work hours, make sure you’re scheduling small achievable tasks. Small daily wins are critical to keep us moving forward. Plan ahead. Go to bed having one thing you’re excited about accomplishing tomorrow. 

Reclaim your time.

Going remote may be your calling to reclaim your time. Prior to the CoronaVirus, you may have worked long days and even nights. That may be unrealistic during these times. Try working more reasonable hours and allocate time to take care of yourself. Consider a mid-day exercise. End work at a reasonable time and pick up a new hobby. Take a moment to write a letter or call a friend. If work is slow, take a day off and have a stay-cation. Go on a camping trip, even if it’s just in the living room or backyard. Garden. Play a board game with your family. Whatever it is, make sure it's time that's truly for you.

Get Inspired.

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s turn to women who have made an incredible impact on the world. Anne Frank’s quote is especially fitting: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” You too can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Have a computer? Use your computer to help fight Corona Virus. Click here to learn how. Consider ways in which you can support your family, friends, colleagues, and clients during these times. A simple check-in or sharing helpful information can go a long way. It may be just the thing they need to get through a tough day.

Give Thanks.

Don’t forget those on the front lines, who keep our society going even in crisis. Health care workers, first responders, small businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, educators, and basic services (water/power, waste, postal, etc.). Be patient with them. All have had to shift to meet changing needs in a time when stressors are high and funding is tight. Now is the time to support them two-fold -- support their establishments, donate much needed funds, and take extra effort to show your appreciation. 

We are all learning everyday on how best to be productive working in these CoronaVirus times. There will be good days. There will be bad days. The important thing is to treat each day as a new day. A new opportunity to try to get something done. Find your own groove. Be kind to yourself and others. And don’t forget to share what works for you.