We're all overwhelmed now that this coronavirus global pandemic is slowing everyone down and forcing many to work from home. It's also forcing an adjustment to maintain productivity with your spouse and/or kids at home. It seems like this should be a simple transition. Simply bring home the work laptop and a few supplies. Then, find a quiet space to have Zoom meetings. And, finally, voila! Nothing has changed at all, right?
However, many are learning it's not as easy as it seemed. The "quiet place" isn't as quiet as you are used to or need it to be. Your virtual coworkers may still hear noise in the background or see just how messy your house is in the background. That comfortable chair you were used to and that sit or stand desk is no longer available, wreaking havoc on your neck and back after several hours. Staring at a wall gets boring. You don't have any commute time to decompress from your day.
The list can go on and on. Yeah, it's much harder than it seemed.
Here are a few tips to make that transition easier and more successful for both you and anyone sharing your space at home:
Keep to your routine.
Set a schedule and stick to it as best you can. Wake up at the same time, start and stop at regular times, and go to bed at the same time each night during the week. This will help build consistency and structure to manage any craziness.
Get dressed for work.
Even though you're at home, it can help you feel professional and keep you focused to be dressed for work. When you're done with the workday, it can help you transition better to being truly at home to change your clothes into something more comfortable.
Reinstall those transitions.
If you used to spend 30 minutes getting prepared for work or 20 minutes in the car commuting, build those into your schedule. You relied on that alone time to decompress and help you transition from work to home. To be honest, you probably still need it as you walk out of the "new office" directly into the living room.
Take regular breaks to stretch and get a change of scenery.
If you're able, take a 5-10 minute break every 45 minutes to stretch your body, go for a walk, get a cup of coffee or tea, use the bathroom, and rest your eyes. Studies show this schedule maximizes productivity throughout the day and sustains energy, and is especially needed while working remotely.
Avoid distractions.
Turn any devices off that might distract you, but allow yourself to check these at certain intervals during the day such as at lunch, during one or two breaks, or at the end of your day. While it's already challenging to stay engaged working from home, this can reduce the temptation to procrastinate and protect your motivation to work.
Set goals for yourself.
They might be daily goals to strive for or weekly goals you're aiming for by the end of the week. Setting goals keeps you focused and allows you to give yourself rewards for accomplishing these goals.
With all of these strategies, recreating boundaries for yourself and trying to live with a sense of normalcy are important keys. It can be difficult, though, depending on your situation and environment, so you may need to make some adjustments to make these work. Do your best with one attempt then take a step back and re-evaluate, make some adjustments, and try again. At some point you'll figure out what's best for you and at the very least, you'll have something to focus on in the meantime.
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