My Tips for Working from Home
Are you now a remote worker with the COVID-19 Pandemic? Many of us have had a couple of decades to fully equip our home offices and adjust to this culture, however for people who are new to this environment, let’s explore my tips for working from home.
Keep a Routine
People often ask me if I work in the pajamas all day. The answer is no.
- Every morning I set my alarm for 7 am. Some mornings I exercise in the house, other mornings when the weather cooperates, I power walk outside and a couple of mornings a week it’s straight into the shower. Then I dress in business casual (no pajamas or sweats).
- Always a healthy breakfast, and a small pot of coffee (too much coffee isn’t good for my productivity) and cuddle time with my 17-year-old cat.
- Then it’s in the office for 45-minute intervals. I set the timer on the stove, so I physically must walk downstairs and shut it off.
- I aim to eat lunch at the same time every day, usually between 12 and 1 pm and plan to end my day in the office at 5 pm.
Now if you’re adjusting and adapting to working from home with the kids and your spouse around during the pandemic this is a vast adjustment. A routine will keep things coordinated and civil. It may be important to re-visit the routine each week and find one that works best for everyone.
Set Boundaries with your Schedule
Just because you have an internet connection, phone and computer doesn’t mean your “home office space” will magically make you productive, especially if you’re used to an office structure outside your home.
- We all have different working styles and unique needs and an outward office environment can fulfill some of them.
- For me, I cusp in the middle of an extrovert and introvert, so prior to the pandemic, I would schedule my week about half the time in the home office and the other half on-the-road or in meetings.
- However, now that I’m working from 100% of the time, I’ve had to make sure my extrovert side is being satisfied, by implementing time with colleagues via the phone, or video and taking daily walks outside (even though the walks are by myself, I’m changing up my environment).
- If you haven’t done this already, ask yourself “How do I work best for productivity?” Then set up boundaries to accommodate that.
- For example, if you’re a morning person and are most productive during that time, let your family know not to disturb you in “home office space” during the hours of 8 am to 11 am and then you’ll have a break with them from 11:15 to 11:30 or an early lunch.
We can’t predict what will happen in the world or locally in the next few weeks and months, but you can put systems in place to encourage a daily routine on the home front.
Well-being: Eat Healthy and Stay Active
I know this is a stressful time. It’s very unsettling to have a global pandemic and economic uncertainty. However, now more than ever it’s important to continue your healthy eating plan and exercise for your well-being.
- The gym where I box twice a week has been closed since Mar 16th and will continue to be closed for another two weeks. So, I’m pulling from my own advice about exercising, doing it in 10-minute intervals throughout the day.
- With the stress, our immediate reaction may be reaching for the comfort foods lacking nutrition but high in calories. Ok – reset and think about how your healthy eating is keeping you strong and focused in this unprecedented time in history.
We are adjusting and adapting to a new culture and environment. Each day is a new day to learn how to best navigate it for you. I hope my tips for working from home have helped!
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