Tips for Working from Home 

In much of the New World Order created by the pandemic, people are encouraged to stay home. For many it means lost of work, but for those who are fortunate enough to be able to transition to working from home, it can be a lifeline.

Working from home can be freeing as well as challenging. The freedom to stay in your pajamas all day might be comfortable and convenient for some, but the constant disruptions from children, pets, or others in your household can be frustrating and distracting. Unless you live alone, there is always something going on in the home.

To be successful at working from home, you’ll need to change some of your habits and routines.

For those of us who are making the adjustment to our new work from home lifestyle, here are 15 core tips that should be considered.

1. Set up a workspace that works for you

First and foremost, set up a workspace at home that is comfortable and productive for you. Ensure, as much as possible that there will be limited distractions in this place.

2. Pay attention to ergonomics

You must consider ergonomics. Is your chair comfortable? Are you working from the bed, slouching too much? Having correct posture allows you to work longer without being distracted by annoying aches and pains, thus being more productive.

3. Maintain regular hours and take scheduled breaks

Set a schedule, and do you best to stick to it. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps. If you need to start early or later to accommodate someone else’s time zone, be sure to wrap up earlier than usual or sleep in a bit the next morning to make up for it.

4. Establish scheduled breaks

Establishing scheduled breaks throughout the day is critical for mental health. Breaking up the day and physically moving enables you to refresh and can increase your productivity when you return to your work.

5. Create a morning routine

Deciding to start work at a certain time is one thing, but having a routine is another. Continue your original morning routine if possible. Have a cup of coffee, check the news, whatever you did before try to continue it. It’ll mentally prepare you for work.

6. Establish healthy boundaries for those in the home

Your workspace is still physically a part of your home. Therefore, it is important to clarify to other family members what is expected of them. For instance, ask them not disturb you with petty request or home issues when you are in this place (your workspace). Tell them your break times if they want to chat or make request.

7. Communicate effectively with colleagues

Utilize tools such as Slack and Asana in order to stay in touch with both your team and your clients. Slack allows you to instant message, video call, and share your screen when necessary.

8. Use online meetings

Use online meetings to tackle everything on your to-do list, make and take suggestions, plan strategies and get follow-up.

9. Record meetings and phone calls

Protect yourself, your business, and assignments by recording your meetings, specifically your meetings with clients. Also, the recordings can be used to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.

10. Stay on track of project progress

Using tools such as Trello will allow you and your team to stay on track, and meet project deadlines. Although you are remote at this point in time, there is still work that needs to be done.

11. Keep up casual communication habits with colleagues

When you are at work, casual conversation is constant. Continue this communication while working from home by utilizing tools such as Slack or Whatsap, and reaching out to your colleagues to check in and see how they are doing daily.

12. Respond promptly

It is extremely important to respond promptly to both your clients, your employees, and colleagues. Show that you are engaged, whether at home or in the office.

13. Utilize a white noise machine for distractions

Distractions are bound to happen, even with a locked door. Take advantage of a white noise machine or maybe a podcast in order to keep you on track throughout the day.

14. Cut yourself some slack

This is a big transition for many of us, so play it by ear and take the time you need to adjust to your new work from home lifestyle.

15. End Your Day with a Routine

Just as you started your day with a routine, create a habit that signals the close of the workday. Something as simple as shutting down your computer and turning on a favorite podcast will do. Whatever you choose, do it consistently to mark the end of working hours.