Having worked from home in my own office for the past few years, here are some tips and suggestions I came up with for anyone thrust suddenly into this shady world; to help you navigate out again, when this is all over.
And I’m assuming you’re at home doing office work that you normally do in an office elsewhere.
1. Normal Routine
Get up, get dressed and ‘go to work’ same time as you always have done (minus travel, of course). Try to keep the same routines as you do when you went out. This will keep your hours mostly the same and aid in transitioning back to real life.
2. Organize your ‘work space’
Even if it’s only a mental border you cross; but differentiate between home space and work space – so you know when you’re ‘at work’ or ‘at home’. This is especially important for other family members to recognize and respect; they also need to differentiate when you’re ‘working’ and when on a break. If you can close a door to the room even better. Even kids will understand if the door’s closed – you’re at work.
3. Schedule real breaks from work.
Stop what you’re doing get up and go somewhere else – even somewhere different in the house. Don’t just switch to Social media and pretend that’s a break (see 4.). Treat yourself like a teenager; limit screen-time. Do something physical; pull out some weeds, hang out the washing, make a bed. Something that’s not so sedentary.
4. Limit social media during work time.
I keep a clock to charge my time – so I don’t use social media when the client is paying; that’s just my company policy. Leave Facebook to your break time – but not just that – see 5. below. If you need social media for your actual work, then limit friends breaking in to your time – just as you would if they popped into your office at your real work place. It takes a bit of self-control, but just DON’T let them. You know when a message arrives if it’s work related or not. If it’s from a friend – just don’t open it (unless it’s me, of course)
5. Get out of the house
– from time to time. Obviously a little hard today, but the principle still holds. Normally, I’d say meet other at-home-workers for coffee – NOT in your office. But go to the shops (if you can) do it on a regular basis; same time – same day each week. Build routine into your office timetable, as if your boss sent you on an errand. If/when you do shop, talk to people. Use the check-out person’s name. Say, “thanks, Dave”. Keep your brain attuned to human reactions. Don’t let your digital communications method dominate your real life experiences. Stay human.
6. Video Conferencing
If you have to use this, here are some things to prepare yourself (and I’ve only just got into Zoom, but have used Skype and others, this is tool-independent)
- Prepare your work space. You’re not building a film studio, but look at your background. Assuming you haven’t got a completely empty room to work in.. little things will distract your meeting attendees – but more likely you yourself. Rubbish on the floor behind you or a drawer left open, etc. you know when your meetings are scheduled – get ready for the call
- Close the doors, so no other noises distract
- Get documents ready beforehand. I have 3 screens so I have meeting notes and ref docs on the other 2. You may not have that luxury – but print stuff out before you start, and have them with you on the desk. You don’t want unnecessary movement from your camera during someone else’s talk.
- Make sure there’s plenty of light – Yes, on your face
7. Background Noise
If you can work with music, listen to the radio. They tell you the time often, and the news. This simulates colleagues talking in the background. It also helps to remind you of time spent, etc.
These are just gleaned from my own observations, bad habits, productivity tests, etc.. If they don’t work for you, fair enough; post your own ideas.
