With everything going on right now and so many office advising to work from home – we’ve had a sudden influx of individuals using their home offices, working from their bed and answering calls from the living room sofa.
As someone who considers herself a seasoned professional in working from home, I thought I could impart a little bit of wisdom and some advice on how to be as productive as possible while WOH.
Set A Routine
One of the easiest rabbit holes to fall down is the lack of routine when not going into an office. Set an alarm, wake up and get dressed. Sit down at your laptop at the normal time that you would and set an alarm for when you would usually take your lunch. Give yourself a full hour (or half hour – whatever you normally have) to eat lunch and maybe stick a programme on while you’re eating – it will stop you from checking emails and working from your desk.
Then set another alarm for when you usually clock off from work and actually clock off. Close the laptop. Walk away from it. Have a shower, go for a run or whatever you need to do to distance yourself from work life.
Don’t Stay In PJ’s
I am in no way saying that you need to be in a full face of makeup and suit to sit at your kitchen table and answer emails – but whatever you do, do. not. stay. in. your. pyjamas.
You need to have a sense of a working day, so getting up and getting dresses is vital in feeling like you’re ready to tackle the day. I personally have a wardrobe of clothes I turn to that I call my ‘WOH Wardrobe’ – they are comfortable, stretchy materials but look like I’m still wearing something cute. I’ve linked below some examples of my WOH wardrobe if you want to treat yourself to some new pieces.
Communication is Vital
When you’re working from home, you can go the entire day without speaking to a single human being – so make communication your priority. Maybe pick up the phone where you would normally send an email. Facetime your friends and family to check up on how they’re doing. Make an effort to be more communicative.
Coffee is Your Best Friend
I like to set myself coffee breaks throughout the day to reset, realign and refocus. Also I really like coffee. But it’s so important to give yourself a moment to step away from your laptop, brew the coffee beans (or press the nespresso button in my case) and pour yourself a cup of frothy goodness.
Set Yourself Up a Work Space
I personally have a home office, but I actually do a great deal of my work at the kitchen table. I like bringing through my diary and laptop and other things I need and setting up a little work station at the table. It gives me a sense of normality and lets me spread out during the work day.
Separate Work and Life
Speaking of work stations, one thing I like about working on the kitchen table is I have to pack up and put my things away at the end of the day. Being able to tidy away the remnants of the working day and prepare for the evening helps me to regain a proper work life balance and not let my tasks leak into me time.
I hope you are all staying safe and comfortable in this uncertain time.
