Tips for Working From Home

I've been working from home for almost a year now. Throughout my career, I've worked remotely a day or two at a time, however, never full-time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many employees in all industries who are transitioning to work from home models. Many friends and peers have reached out to me asking for some tips and tricks to help them make the switch, so I thought I would share my top 5 here since I am sure there are many folks who are finding themselves struggling with the same unique challenges that a move from working in a traditional office space to home brings.

• Separate your living space from your workspace as much as possible. I realize that not everyone has a home office, however, there are some simple modifications that can be made to ensure that you still feel as though you have a separate workspace and living area. If you have a room that you do not usually spend a lot of your time in, try setting up your workstation there. Think of dining rooms, spare bedrooms, or dens. If you are limited on space, try setting up a temporary desk that can be easily broken down at the end of each workday. I have seen friends using tray tables that can be moved to other spaces with ease to ensure that they have a secure space to be productive in, but at the end of each day they can effectively "shut off" and transition their home back into their living quarters. The ability to be able to effectively separate your work area from your living area is essential, especially now while we practice social distancing. Save your sanity and do what you can to guarantee that you remain productive at work and can still relax after hours in your home.
• Limit the use of streaming services during working hours. Most of us utilize streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and music services; however, when working from home you need to ensure that your internet bandwidth is reliable and able to support your business needs. By limiting the use of streaming services while you are working, you will limit internet connectivity issues and remain productive and available.
• Make your workstation appealing. Many of us who work in offices and cubicles have personal items on our desks such as pictures or tchotchkes that make us feel happier at work. Your work area at home should be no different. Try surrounding yourself with a picture or two of a favorite trip or a memory with friends, or a souvenir from a favorite place. Be cautious, however, it can be easy to go overboard with such items. Your desk should be clutter-free, yet still be comfortable for you. Our environment is a key factor to success, and a messy work area can lead to disorganization in your job duties.
• Plan breaks as much as possible. One of the more difficult transitions for me when I made the switch to working from home was feeling isolated. In the office environment I would have planned breaks where I maybe met a peer at the coffee machine or took a walk outside. When I first started working from my home, however, these activities obviously stopped. Instead of replacing them with other healthy interactions and exercises, I found myself not taking any breaks outside of the necessary restroom visits. This made my workday monotonous and lacking in fundamental mental and physical respites. I started planning my trip to my Keurig for that necessary second cup of coffee and taking that brewing time to text a friend or family member. Taking 15 minutes out of the day for a brisk walk outdoors or just moving to the backyard for a quick game of fetch with my dogs made a world of difference in my attitude. I come back to my workstation refreshed and ready to tackle my tasks. Be creative and come up with ways to ensure that you don't fall into an unhealthy routine just because you work from home.
• Keep up appearances. I'm not saying that you have to work from your home dressed in full business attire, but I have found that at least changing out of my pajamas to start my workday helps me get in the mindset of "now is work time". Even just taking a shower, changing your clothes (yes, they can still be comfy), and running a brush or comb through your hair can do the trick. Try some different routines and determine what makes your workday run more smoothly. You may be surprised how differently your day goes simply because you changed your morning regime.

Working from home can be rewarding and productive if you have the right mindset and attitude. Don't be afraid to try new ways to make your workday the best that it can be while still ensuring your performance is top notch. You may find the transition to be a balancing act, but it's not an impossible feat. If you ever need any advice feel free to reach out. And if you have other tips and tricks that have worked for you - sharing is caring!

Stay well, happy, and productive!

Heather