It would be an understatement to say we are living in uncertain times. However, the decisions we make now will hopefully stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and life as we know it can return to a sense of normality. For many of you there may be a requirement to work at home. If this is not something you have done regularly it can be challenging to distinguish a work/life balance. We have compiled some tips for anyone who may be finding it difficult to adjust to working at home, or who may need some guidance in the weeks to come. This is a time of adjustment so take each day as it comes and remember to mind yourself.
1. Keep to your normal working hours where possible. It is easy to assume that when working from home you have the power to decide how long you will work for in any given day. However, this can lead to an individual working late into the night which takes away from the time you would usually spend relaxing at home after coming home from your job. Begin each day as you normally would. Schedule your breaks as these must be maintained to ensure your productivity is not compromised but also for you to take a step away from the workload and ground yourself. Decide what time you are going to finish work and stick to it. It’s easy to continue working when you have your equipment at home but if you continue beyond your usual working day you will undoubtedly burn out at some point.
2. If possible set up your workspace in an area where you won’t be easily distracted. By isolating an area that’s purpose is solely for work you will be able to distinguish this space from the rest of your home. Of course, this isn’t as easy for everyone to do depending on living circumstances. Ensure that this space has enough natural sunlight in order for you to be able to feel as if it is a normal working day and if possible away from other family members or housemates. This workspace will be your go to- do not take your laptop etc. around the house with you as this will counteract productivity. By deciding on an area and sticking to that you will know that when you are sitting there it is a time to work and when the day ends you can leave it till the following morning.
3. Communicate. Ensure that you continue to communicate with your co-workers in order to keep on track of how everyone is progressing with their work. It is also good to check in on them to see how they are coping with this new change and if there is anything you can do to assist them. Not everyone has the same circumstances at home, so if there is something a co-worker cannot complete due to other commitments within their household if you have the time – offer to help. This can reduce the burden on co-workers but also when they have the time they can reciprocate the favour to you. It is also essential to keep in contact with your family and friends to see how they are getting on and to give you a break from the workload of the day.
4. If you are due to make a conference call during the day do a test run in the morning to ensure that everything is working. This will ensure that no time is wasted for those partaking in the conference call later on. Technology plays a big role in remote working so ensure that everything is working as it should be, otherwise this could affect your ability to complete your own work. If issues do arise where your technology is acting up, notify those that were due to take part in the conference that you won’t be able to join today’s meeting but ask that they provide you a summary of the issues covered so that you can remain up to date.
5. The final tip which may seem like an obvious one but is important to note – get dressed. It is fair to assume that some days you may stay in your pajamas or lounge wear when working from home. However, in order to trick your brain into thinking you are working a normal work day it is important to stick to routines. Get up, have your breakfast and get changed into something comfortable yet practical. By dressing for work you are mimicking the habits you have had before which will put you in the mindset to work as you have been previously.
Although these tips may seem obvious to some, it is easy to get caught up in the work from home mindset and stray away from routine. By following these few tips you will ensure that you will have a productive day’s work regardless of where you are working from. Remember for those of you who have been put into this position due to the outbreak, this is for the best. By working together hopefully we will stop the spread. It will all be worth it in the end. The most important thing is to stay safe and to look after yourself. On the bright side this will allow many of us to see the potential of working from home in the future- which may become a viable option once this passes.
