As working from home becomes the new norm for many Americans and those around the world, people who are unfamiliar with this sort of lifestyle can become overwhelmed, unfocused, and unmotivated.
While working from home certainly isn’t the same as hanging out at the office, here are our tips (since we’re all used to working from home here at Multibrain) for making sure that your work from home time is well spent:
- Continue to have a routine. Although you aren’t commuting to the office anymore, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wake up and get ready for the day as you normally would. Set an alarm, change out of pajamas, have breakfast and make sure you are fully ready for a productive workday. If you’re not in work-mode, you’ll be working against yourself all day long.
- Designate a space for your work at home. You may not have a cubicle anymore, but your dining room table will do! Not everyone has a home office, so consider other tables or desks as your designated working space for the time being. Whichever you pick, organize it just as you would in the office.
- Lay down the ground rules. You have a whole new set of coworkers now. Humor aside, make sure you set some sort of boundary with the other people in your home. While kids may need supervising or a chore may need to be done, ensure you have systems in place to navigate those concerns.
- Give yourself a break. Schedule in some breaks for yourself throughout the day. The line between work and home has been blurred, so it’s essential that you know when to take a step back and close the computer. If you can, get outside and get some fresh air–it will help more than you know.
- Dress for success. It is so tempting to change out of pajamas and into a cozy pair of sweats. But you would be surprised how much your outfit can impact your productivity. Changing into clothes you feel good about–whether that’s office wear or even just a pair of jeans–can boost your mood and help you to feel more prepared for the day.
- Don’t hide behind email. It can be so easy working from home to sit behind your screen all day and communicate with your coworkers via keyboard. However, over email or text, it can be easy for things to be misconstrued or impersonal. Pick up the phone every once in a while to call your coworkers or boss–just to keep things clear and interesting!
- Minimize distractions. Working from home it can be so easy to pick up your phone and lose track of time. However, while breaks are amazing and should be taken, there should also be designated work time where the phone is put to the side and notifications (except essential ones) are turned off. Let yourself focus in on your work, not everything else going on around you!
Which of these tips is your favorite? How has the transition to working from home been? Let us know below, and stay safe and healthy, Brains!