During the pandemic, employees started working from home due to the quarantines, many for the first time in their careers. Working comfortably from home was appealing, and virtual sessions became more popular. This trend has continued today and has required many companies to rethink their workforce and how they do business.
Although doing virtual work from home sounds very attractive, it also comes with challenges for employees, entrepreneurs, and companies alike. Some people find they lack internal motivation and don't know how to function effectively with their newfound freedom. Others employees are admonished by their supervisors for wearing too casual of apparel or having sloppy backgrounds on client video sessions. And this new norm of employees working from home created unique difficulties for employers in tracking work time, productivity, and effectiveness.
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For those experiencing this work environment for the first time, routines were turned upside down, especially since we also have children and partners at home. However, if you'd like to work from home, check out these helpful tips.
Below are some crucial tips to help you (and your family) adjust to your new way of working and ensure that your days go more smoothly. The more order and structure you can create, everyone will know what to expect, and less stress will ensue, increasing productivity and regaining a greater sense of ease.
Helpful Tips for Working from Home
1. Set up a dedicated workspace.
It's an easy mistake to improvise a working space when at home, moving into different places on different days, such as kitchens or living rooms. Don't be transient; it will likely create more chaos and unsettledness.
Create a designated area where you can focus. It can be a home office you share with your spouse or the corner of a private room like an unused guest room. Once you identify the best place, ensure you have all the necessary resources. We are more productive when an organized area supports our work.
This suggestion to set a separate space for your office work and meetings at home is also fortified by research done by Professor Gabriel Radvansky, PhD. who coined the phrase the doorway effect. Prior to the tech age, work was work and home was home. Our brain understood at work that we work; at home, we connect, socialize, and relax. Those boundaries (and cues) for the brain are drastically blurred now with people starting online businesses from their bedrooms and virtual employees working at home.
Support your work and brain while also giving your family the right cues that you are to be undisturbed. Productivity and greater effectiveness will reward you!
TIP: Keep your workspace out of a high-traffic area.
Attempting to work in the kitchen or common area can lead to many disruptions or distractions, particularly when a fridge or TV is in the space. Even people cutting through a room where you are on video is a major distraction, which has been a common complaint of leaders and clients alike.
Related reading: "Getting Your Office to Work for You: a Feng Shui Checklist."
Maintain your bedtime schedule and morning routine as closely as possible. Avoid the desire to stay in your pajamas because you don't have a meeting until 10 a.m.; apparel can affect your motivation, attitude, and performance. Get dressed as if you were going into the office.
If you are accustomed to exercising, meditating, or engaging in comforting rituals such as coffee with your spouse in the morning, stick with them! Or perhaps, you are accustomed to a daily call with a friend in the morning while commuting. Even though you may not have to drive to work, keep this connection and make the phone call a priority at a time that works. These small things can add a little boost!
3. Set a start and end time for your day (if possible).
When you have the ability to set a start and end time for your workday, this can help you set priorities and a routine for you and your family. Providing a structure can help you plan your day while also supporting your family to understand that those times are reserved for your work.
It's also helpful to reduce procrastination. What I refer to as coasting activities is when we do something mindless such as surf the internet or scroll social media feeds. These activities are often a way for us to take downtime and needed breaks. If we feel like we're working all the time (no doorways signaling us that we're off duty), we will find ways to unplug, often unproductively.
Be intentional. Safeguard quality work time by defining it by the space and a set time for work.
4. Set timers and small goals.
If you have a partner or children at home, you may wish to spend some quality time with them during the day. Set small goals of focusing on specific work tasks for a set period and plan breaks to connect with those you love. Just make sure that you're honoring work time and not allowing the pleasure to drain your productivity.
Setting snacks and lunch breaks can also help you refuel yourself properly and give comfort to your family, letting them know how the day will go. Discussing the schedule with your family and brainstorming activities will provide quiet for you and a fulfilling time for them. Include within the schedule any required household tasks with family members at home.
5. Support kids when they are home with planned or parallel activities.
Working from home is a great opportunity to work in a similar space and engage your children or help them with their schoolwork. What a fabulous time to set an example of good work habits! Setting up a space that includes a desk for older children and a planned activity, will ensure fewer interruptions. And it's a great opportunity to set healthy boundaries for them to respect your time and work.
Take note of any conference calls or meeting times and list any unfinished tasks, then prioritize. Wrap up your work, tidy your workspace, and do not return to it until the following day. This commitment to keeping work separate from family life will help your mindset, and you’ll more easily shift from work to together time and other home priorities.
Working from home can be very rewarding. By maintaining effective, focused work and maintaining personal priorities simultaneously, you will create stability and calmness. It does, however, require planning and focus differently than from an office workday. The above tips can help ensure you are productive and prevent frustrations and distractions. It will also enhance your ability to take care of yourself while enjoying your family.
Related reading: "Values and Work-Life Balance: What Is Most Important?"
Are you needing support and coaching? Check out the resources of Heartmanity for Business.