For a lot of people, working from home sounds like a dream – freedom, no commute, work in your PJ’s. But now with COVID-19, schools cancelled, gyms closed, social distancing, working from home can be tough – especially since the timeline of how long we’ll be working from home is up in the air. Here are some tips to help structure your time so you stay productive and on task.
- Get up and get dressed. It seems logical I know, but keeping your regular schedule and processes will get you into the right work mindset and help you get your day started on the right track.
- Calendar/Schedule your day. Make a things-to-do list and schedule specific time for each major task. People are doing this to help keep their kids stay off of screen time and give them structure and to know what’s next. Do the same for yourself. Schedule in lunch, a walk around the block and a coffee break.
- Stay Connected. Plan time to talk to your team and your boss, co-workers and friends. Socially distancing can be tough so make sure to reach out to people and stay and feel connected. It will normalize your day. Reach out to 5 Facebook or LinkedIn contacts each day – see how they’re doing and know that hearing from others will normalize your day and theirs.
- Work Space. Set up a specific work space. Get out of your bedroom, sit in a chair or at the kitchen table, and you’ll be more focused to get things done. Have your chargers handy, notebooks and any other things you’re used to having handy.
- Give yourself a break. If you’re not used to working from home, it will take a day or 2 to get used to it. Stay focused, but realize it’s ok to do the laundry or empty the dishwasher as long as those tasks don’t derail your whole day. In the office you chat with your co-worker, you get a cup of coffee and catch up with team members, so remember, not every minute in the office is 100% productive, so it’s ok to take a break at home, too.
- Music not news. Many people are used to having a TV on all the time at home and now is not the time to have the news going 24/7 – you need a break from the constant news-cycle. If you need ambient noise, find a good play list to have on in the background. And take a few minutes to dance out some of your pent up energy, too.
What other tips do you have to make working from home as normal and productive as possible? Share your tips and ideas with us.
