Working from home was once a luxury that many people were afforded by their respective companies once in a while. But with the appearance of the pandemic, it has now become the norm. With everyone confined to their homes, except when leaving for a few select reasons, I wanted to share my tips on how I’ve worked from home successfully for years. Whether you’re working or not, being at home so often can be frustrating. I hope that these tips can help you stay sane throughout the rest of lockdown.
Have a plan and stick to it
Over the years I have found having a routine can help me stay on track throughout the day. Normally, we’d have a commute to get us started, but without that right now, having a morning routine can get your mind prepared for the day ahead. Perhaps you go do your exercises for 10-minutes before settling down or start by making your cup of coffee first thing.
Planning what your day will consist of can help clarify exactly what needs to be done, and what perhaps isn’t as important as you may be thinking it is. We use Frog Sheets to do this each day before we sign off, ready for the next day. The Frog Sheet lists the big task to be done during the day, tasks which contribute towards our goals, and follow up calls/emails and other tasks. It means we know exactly what to focus on when we start in the morning. Structuring your day, the same way you would in the office, helps ensure you’ve got time for all your tasks, but also when to take a break and when you’ll finish for the day.
I find it useful to write down my agenda, so nothing is lost or forgotten about. You can even set reminders to prompt you to shift gears and start a new task.
Get out into the fresh air
One good thing we’re seeing from this pandemic is that nature has been given the chance to recover. Jellyfish in the canals of Venice, visibly less pollution in cities, wild animals venturing into city centres. All sights we wouldn’t have ever thought we’d see. And getting out into the fresh air is something I’ve always found to be really refreshing. It helps clear my mind, feel more alert and I find my body feels fresher afterwards. Getting outside and taking a break during the day, can be one of the biggest remedies for a mind block.
I don’t believe anybody can work through 8 hours at a consistently high productivity level. And I think it’s foolish to believe you could. Instead, work out when you work best and fit your schedule around that. If, like me, you’re a morning person, get stuck in as soon as you’re up and get an hour in before breakfast. If you don’t get going quickly, that’s fine too, but plan in your hardest tasks for when you’re at your peak and be sure to reduce distractions such as calls and meetings at this time.
Stay connected to others
Call a colleague, friend or family member just to have a chat throughout the day. There’s so much tech nowadays which helps you stay connected with others. Use it! Instant messaging and videoconferencing platforms are a great way to talk to and see others. You don’t want to feel cut-off from everyone, so make time each day to check-in, and remind yourself how you’re contributing to the bigger picture.
Communicate your expectations too. This is both to family (or whoever you may be in lockdown with) and your colleagues. Your lockdown buddies need to know when you have to work and when they can pop in for a chat. Have a system in place, maybe a closed-door = do not disturb. Similarly, be clear with your colleagues about the times you’re focusing on work, and when you’ve got other priorities. Plus, tell them what you’re working on each day, so everyone is aware of the overall plan and where they fit in.
Try to avoid being distracted by things like social media. Readily available and easily accessed, social media poses a threat to productivity. By planning your breaks, you can allot a dedicated time to check your accounts, and perhaps consider removing them from your browser shortcuts – minimising the desire to have a quick browse outside of these times.
Get dressed each day
It may sound overly simplistic, but getting dressed into smarter clothes, or simply choosing to wear jeans, can put you in the frame of mind for work. You’re not in your pyjamas (associated with sleep), joggers (associated with relaxing), or gym kit (associated with exercise) anymore. You’re dressed, looking the part and ready to go.
Have a set workspace
This one I’ve found especially important over the years of working from home. Even though you’re not going to your office anymore, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an “office”. Having a particular area, a room or a specific surface from which you work again creates the association between that space and working. It can help focus the mind to the task at hand. And, once you leave that space, you’re not at work anymore. Which is really helpful when you’re trying to switch off for the weekend and in the evenings.
This is along the same vein as not working from bed. Whilst it may seem like a comfy plan, you should try to maintain the association of your bed with sleeping, just like your couch and leisure time. This will help make sure you’re able to continue getting enough sleep and relaxation even though you may be less busy than normal.
In summary
Being home so much is hard-work. I have found over the years that creating a routine can help set each day up and knowing what expectations and tasks I have to complete let me prioritise those that need to happen. Ensure you’re making time to get out of the house. We’re allowed 1 bit of exercise each day, so use it. Go for a walk, a cycle, a run – anything to get outside. And when you are in the house, keep your workstation for work. Meaning you still associate the rest of your house with the more pleasant tasks of cooking, relaxing or sleeping. And finally, stay connected with others. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be keeping in touch with the ones we love and keeping up to date with what’s happening in the bigger picture.
I’ve got plenty more ideas for how to cope with working from home, so get in touch for a longer discussion.
