Working From Home

If you're not used to working from home but are now required to do so, here are some tips that may help you get your A-game going sooner rather than later:

1. Have a dedicated work space where you're comfortable. Helps if this space is well lighted and airy and relatively off-bounds for others at home.

2. Explain to your family (including kids) that you are Working From Home (and not on vacation) and that you need their cooperation to make it work. They should know that you are not available to chat and run errands and do things around the house or play, just because you're at home.

3. Get ready to go to work as you would normally and then get into your designated work space to start work. That helps gets into the 'work zone' mentally.

4. Build breaks (e.g. lunch, evening hours) in your workday schedule when you are completely present with your family. If possible, keep phones silent and in another room during these times. You can always return any missed calls. It helps to do this consciously to be clear about, and not blur, the lines between work time and family time and retain your sanity.

5. Figure out a good use for the time you would otherwise spend commuting to the office and use that time well.

6. Keep (and re-fill) a bottle of water in your work space and stay hydrated.

7. If you're struggling with keeping kids occupied while you work, remember that boredom is good and forces them to be creative. But if you need resources, check out this link: https://gavinmccormack.com.au/100-free-places-to-find-tools-for-learning-from-home-during-covid-19/. There's plenty more on the internet. Happy to offer specific suggestions, if you need any.

8. If you have to get on a call, try to close the door. If that is not possible, inform others at home so they are mindful about loud noises (e.g. pressure cooker going off, using the grinder, baby crying, etc). Tell your older kids that you're on a call and NOT available to answer questions. And beyond a point, don't worry if there are noises while you are on calls since everyone is in the same boat. Excuse yourself when you have to. Do use the mute button on your phone wisely.

9. Figure out a transition routine to get out of work mode and into home/ family mode at the end of the day - maybe a few minutes of mediation or some physical exercise - whatever works for you.

10. Get your posture right, core strong and laptop at the right height for you, to avoid landing up with back and neck issues. Get up and stretch periodically.

11. Since you're missing out on face-to-face conversation with colleagues and business partners, use email, texting, video calling, internal messaging systems etc a little more liberally than you would otherwise. There's been no better time in history than now to live through a quarantine and work from home efficiently.

There is no one size that fits all. These are suggestions based on experience, some learnt the hard way. But you will adapt and innovate and can be productive (and often more productive than when working from office) while working from home, if you believe that you can. If you have specific questions, feel free to message me. If you have more suggestions, please share.

You've got this. Have a great week indoors and stay healthy!