Many of us our finding ourselves working from home for the first time… and it may not be as easy as it sounds. Here are some helpful tips for getting yourself set up to work efficiently.
[1] CARVE OUT A PLACE FOR WORK
Whether you have a dedicated home office or are simply setting up shop at the kitchen table, be sure to establish a designated workspace. This tells your brain that you’re in the place where you intend to knock out that to-do list.
[2] GET IN THE ZONE
When you work in an office, your morning routine helps you get into the right mindset to work. When you’re working from home, your morning routine is even more important. Set an alarm, exercise, shower, get ready for the day, then sit down in your workspace to get things done.
[3] CREATE STRUCTURE
Even though you’re the one holding yourself accountable, be sure to set and keep a schedule much like you would at your typical office job. A simple daily to-do list will be your favorite work companion that keeps you organized, motivated and productive as you work from home.
[4] AVOID DISTRACTIONS
It’s easy to be distracted at home, but reducing distractions will help you maintain focus. Playing music in the background can help with creativity, but keep the volume down to a reasonable level so you can maintain work flow and not have to pause for a jam session. Missing the background noise of a busy office? Check out Coffitivity— A site that replicates the ambiance of your favorite coffee-house or bistro. Also, limit the non-stop news feed. It’s really hard to focus on the job at hand while listening to the news all day…A Netflix binge while working doesn’t usually help either.
[5] SPEAKING OF DISTRACTIONS…
As our schools have closed, many of us are finding ourselves working from home while also getting our children through E-Learning. Not an easy task. Be sure to let your employer know that you cannot guarantee an interruption-free conversation. If you can, try to schedule calls and important tasks during a time where the kids are working self-sufficiently.
[6] STAY CONNECTED
Working from home might feel a bit isolating, but it’s not meant to be a purely solo experience. You still need to collaborate with co-workers. There are many videoconferencing apps (like Zoom) that can get us face-to-face while still keeping a safe distance.
