Thousands of
people who don’t normally work from home will be now be doing it for the first
time as a result of the ongoing coronavirus situation.
Working from
home is very different to working in your normal place of work – it’s all about
getting used to it and setting rules for yourself.
Here are some
tips and suggestions that may help you work from home in a successful and
productive way.
1. Starting off correctly
As tempting as
it is to stay in bed until a few minutes before you start working, it’s
actually not a brilliant idea.
While it’s true
that you can probably lie in a bit longer as your commute will only consist of
a few steps, it’s still crucial that you prepare yourself properly for the day
ahead.
That means
brushing your teeth, having a shower, getting dressed and having breakfast.
The key is to
allow yourself some time to wake up properly, so you have a clear mind, ready
for the day ahead.
A great idea is
to wake up at the usual time that you would if you were going into work and use
the time that you would be commuting to do some exercise!
Here are some brilliant exercises you can try in the morning to
help yourself wake up and feel ready for the day ahead.
2. Assigning a workspace
If possible,
try to assign a certain area of your home as your workspace. Whether that’s a
desk, your kitchen table or a coffee table, pick a spot and stick to it.
It’s best if
you try to avoid doing any activities in that space that isn’t work, as it will
help your brain be able to click into work mode and relaxation mode, depending
on where you are.
Try to avoid
working on or near your bed, but if you genuinely have no other option then try
sitting on the bed in a different place than you would if you were relaxing.
Keep all your
work-related items in that workspace and treat it as if it is your office space
at work.
It’s all about giving
your brain that clear distinguish between work and relaxation.
3. Avoid distractions
This is a tough
one. Most of the items in your house are there to distract you.
Your fridge,
your TV, your family and housemates are all distractions that typically aren’t
at a normal place of work.
It’s important
to try and exercise some self-restraint and try to limit your contact with
these distractions.
Limit snack
time to certain points of the day to avoid the fridge, and if possible, have
some pre-prepared snacks to avoid standing with the fridge door open.
Put the TV
remote somewhere out of reach and turn your phone off if it’s not needed for
work. Signing out of apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger may help. Tell
whoever you live with to leave you in peace until the end of the working day.
At the end of
the day, you are the only person who can stop yourself from getting distracted,
so do your best and concentrate and ignore everything around you.
4. Stay connected
It’s important
to be readily available by phone, email or conference call.
Keep in contact
with your bosses or co-workers as if you were in your normal place of work.
It may help to
suggest a daily or weekly catchup with your boss to discuss what you’re up to
and where you’re heading with your work. This will reassure your boss that they
can trust you, and give you peace of mind that you’re on the right track.
Have virtual
coffee breaks or have lunch over Skype or FaceTime with your co-workers. Having
a break from work and seeing new faces can really help with your mental health.
If you’re
working on a project with someone, make sure to call them and check in with
them regularly.
Make sure you
agree with your boss or co-workers just how much communication you’ll have
every day to avoid anyone feeling bombarded with information, or totally
ignored.
Here is a list of some great videoconferencing apps to try out.
5. Set your work hours and stick to them
Try to stick to
the same hours that you would do if you were at your normal place of work.
You need to be
able to clock in and out. Try not to overwork or underwork, treat your day as
you usually would.
Make sure to
take breaks to give your eyes and brain a rest from what you’re doing.
The best way to
work is in short bursts of productivity followed by short but frequent breaks.
Why don’t you try the pomodoro technique?
Chances are
you’ll have to cook a meal for yourself at lunch, so why don’t you take the
time to cook a healthy meal? Here are some quick and easy recipes you can try out.
Try to stay
focussed, although you’re not at your normal place of work it doesn’t mean you
can skive off!
When you finish
working at the end of the day, turn off your computer and tidy away any
paperwork. Stop responding to emails – when you clock out you’ve finished work.
Don’t let your
work bleed into your down time. When work is finished, it’s finished.