Quick tips on Work From Home --- from someone who works from home a lot
For the past two years, I have worked from home a lot as part of an increased focus on limiting my travel to be home and present with my kids. As we all shift to an increased work from home schedule, I thought it would be helpful for me to join the chorus of posts on my own tips about work from home.
#1 - Try to mimic a workday schedule and workplace environment-- or, with child care being dynamic, be intentional about when you are available for work and when you aren't.
The easy answer (if you don't have kids) is try to have an 8-6 schedule where you have a time for lunch and have a time to get an afternoon snack, coffee, etc. It can be really easy to lose structure that a workday provides - and can be really easy to be hunched over your computer for 10 hours without moving (more on this in a minute) - so focus on getting up at the same time every day, getting dressed ACTUALLY for work (maybe not business casual but jeans, nice shirt, etc.-- again more on this in a minute). Brush your teeth, make coffee, eat breakfast, and "go to work."
Have a designated place where you are set up for work with a real chair (avoid the couch). Clean it up at night before you "sign off" for the day - clutter is NOT your friend when working from home. Ideal to have a desk but I worked for many years from my kitchen table. If you are using a kitchen table or bar, have a place to keep your notebook and computer when you "pack up" for the night.
#1A - With variable childcare that many of us are facing, don't try to juggle kids & work if you can.
When my kids are home sick, I have often ended the week feeling super frustrated and down - feeling like I'm doing a crappy job as a parent and a crappy job as an employee, boss, and peer. I find that it REALLY helps to try not to juggle both at the same time. Sometimes this is unavoidable - but if possible, be clear about times you are available and times you are not.
My husband and I are taking shifts today of who is on point for the kids and have discussed the likelihood that we will need to wake up early to get work done and work after the kids have gone to bed.
While somewhat exhausting - trying to juggle both often ends up in being irritated at your kids who realistically can't stay quiet for an 8-10 hour work day and who want your attention and focus.
#2 - Move.
My hardest part about working from home is adequately moving throughout the day. When all of your interactions with others are largely from your computer, it's easy to be hunched over all day long.
At the beginning of the day, I pick two calls that I think can be done walking and I go for a walk around my block while I do the call. If it's rainy outside, I do laps throughout my downstairs.
Likewise, I try to schedule two 15 minute periods to stretch. I like guided yoga stretches (here is an example: 10-minute Yoga Stretch).
#3 - Video Conference is Your Friend.
Turn that video on! Per #1 above - have a normal outfit on before doing this. But look at the camera, show your facial expressions, and pay attention in meetings (more on this in a minute). I actually minimize the little video that it shows you of yourself because I find that very distracting and find myself checking myself in the video too much if I keep it open.
#4 - Avoid the urge to multitask
While this is probably a good note for everyone, it's a lot easier to multitask in a meeting where no one is watching you do it. I actually find that turning on my video helps me avoid doing this and helps keep me accountable. It's really easy to multi task in meetings when you are working from home - but staying focused in your meetings helps get the most out of the meeting and helps you stay purpose-driven.
#5 - If possible. buy a second monitor
This may not be possible with the craziness going on right now - but if possible, get a second monitor. I find that this REALLY helps me with my work - as well as helps with the neck strain of looking down at a laptop all day. This is probably true in the office too, but again, since so much of WFH success involves your computer, having another screen to look at helps a lot.
#1 - Try to mimic a workday schedule and workplace environment-- or, with child care being dynamic, be intentional about when you are available for work and when you aren't.
The easy answer (if you don't have kids) is try to have an 8-6 schedule where you have a time for lunch and have a time to get an afternoon snack, coffee, etc. It can be really easy to lose structure that a workday provides - and can be really easy to be hunched over your computer for 10 hours without moving (more on this in a minute) - so focus on getting up at the same time every day, getting dressed ACTUALLY for work (maybe not business casual but jeans, nice shirt, etc.-- again more on this in a minute). Brush your teeth, make coffee, eat breakfast, and "go to work."
Have a designated place where you are set up for work with a real chair (avoid the couch). Clean it up at night before you "sign off" for the day - clutter is NOT your friend when working from home. Ideal to have a desk but I worked for many years from my kitchen table. If you are using a kitchen table or bar, have a place to keep your notebook and computer when you "pack up" for the night.
#1A - With variable childcare that many of us are facing, don't try to juggle kids & work if you can.
When my kids are home sick, I have often ended the week feeling super frustrated and down - feeling like I'm doing a crappy job as a parent and a crappy job as an employee, boss, and peer. I find that it REALLY helps to try not to juggle both at the same time. Sometimes this is unavoidable - but if possible, be clear about times you are available and times you are not.
My husband and I are taking shifts today of who is on point for the kids and have discussed the likelihood that we will need to wake up early to get work done and work after the kids have gone to bed.
While somewhat exhausting - trying to juggle both often ends up in being irritated at your kids who realistically can't stay quiet for an 8-10 hour work day and who want your attention and focus.
#2 - Move.
My hardest part about working from home is adequately moving throughout the day. When all of your interactions with others are largely from your computer, it's easy to be hunched over all day long.
At the beginning of the day, I pick two calls that I think can be done walking and I go for a walk around my block while I do the call. If it's rainy outside, I do laps throughout my downstairs.
Likewise, I try to schedule two 15 minute periods to stretch. I like guided yoga stretches (here is an example: 10-minute Yoga Stretch).
#3 - Video Conference is Your Friend.
Turn that video on! Per #1 above - have a normal outfit on before doing this. But look at the camera, show your facial expressions, and pay attention in meetings (more on this in a minute). I actually minimize the little video that it shows you of yourself because I find that very distracting and find myself checking myself in the video too much if I keep it open.
#4 - Avoid the urge to multitask
While this is probably a good note for everyone, it's a lot easier to multitask in a meeting where no one is watching you do it. I actually find that turning on my video helps me avoid doing this and helps keep me accountable. It's really easy to multi task in meetings when you are working from home - but staying focused in your meetings helps get the most out of the meeting and helps you stay purpose-driven.
#5 - If possible. buy a second monitor
This may not be possible with the craziness going on right now - but if possible, get a second monitor. I find that this REALLY helps me with my work - as well as helps with the neck strain of looking down at a laptop all day. This is probably true in the office too, but again, since so much of WFH success involves your computer, having another screen to look at helps a lot.
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