The New Normal - Working From Home

Given that more and more of us will be working from home for the foreseeable future to flatten the curve and contain the spread of Covid-19, here are some useful tips to make it productive, enjoyable and not too lonely.

1. Designated work space: it’s important to have a designated work space where you work. Don’t work off your couch. Make it as much like an office as you can.
2. Get dressed for work: getting dressed like you were going to work. This helps you get into ‘work mode’. At the end of the day change into your ‘home’ clothes to help you switch off from work.
3. Plan your day: set a schedule and stick to it. Have a to do list with tick offs. Schedule your lunch breaks and your coffee breaks. Maintain regular hours. It’s important to be disciplined.
4. Limit distractions: it can be very easy to catch up on the latest episode of your favourite show on Netflix. Don’t. But if you work better with some music on in the background and it helps you get into a rhythm, then this is definitely a ‘do’.
5. Ask for what you need: don’t be shy about asking for equipment and supplies from your employer that will make working from home more productive and seamless. Do you need a printer? Do you need another monitor?
6. Set ground rules for others: you will need to set ground rules with other people in your home. For example when children come home from school they will need rules about what they can and cannot do when you are working
7. Be conscious of your ergonomic health: try and prevent back and neck strain by having your laptop high on your desk. Alternate between sitting and standing. Consider short stretching exercises every few hours.
8. Leave home: your body needs to move, so go for a walk or go out for lunch or run an errand. This applies for people who work in the office – it’s important to stop work, have a break and move your body.
9. Have a personal number: having a separate number from your work number helps with maintaining a better work/life balance. At the end of your work day switch off your work phone.
10. Make sure you switch off at the end of the day: to maintain a work/life balance it’s important that you stick to a knock off schedule and ‘not take work home’. Turn your computer off at the end of the day.
11. Take your sick/personal leave days: If you are ill, make sure your rest and take the day off. You will be more productive the next day when you are feeling better and well rested.
12. Take advantage of the perks: Working from home comes with unique perks, so take advantage of them. It may be having bacon and eggs for breakfast. Or if you like me, it’s being able to bake a cake during the week.
13. Regular phone/video calls with your colleagues: Isolation, disconnection and loneliness are very real issues when working remotely. It’s important to be pro-active about nurturing your work relationships so schedule regular calls, Skype meetings, FaceTime.
14. Socialise with your colleagues: Unless you are in self-isolation and you can’t leave your house for 14 days, you can still catch up with your colleagues for a lunch or an after-work drink. It’s important to keep up the social interaction you had with your colleagues.

Figure out what works best for you and stick with it but don’t be too hard on yourself if you do get distracted and spend the morning on-line shopping.

Last but not least, stay safe and healthy!