Many of us are now working from home due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Working from home can get lonely in this era of social distancing. Some of us may also not be used to working at home away from our usual professional work space. Not to mention, distractions are aplenty – there’s that Netflix series you’ve been wanting to watch. Maybe laundry that needs to be done. Your adorable furkid is begging for your attention. And is that your spouse yelling questions from the other room?
If you’re not used to working at home, you might be facing some new challenges that you didn’t have at the office. This week, we have some tips to help you adjust to your new situation!
1. Have a designated work space
Just because you're not working at the office doesn't mean you shouldn’t have a home office. Don’t have one? Create it! Carve out a space or surface in your home that’s meant for work, rather than planting yourself on the bed or the couch – spaces that are meant for leisure and rest.
2. Pretend you’re going to work
When working in an office, the commute helps us to mentally prepare for work once we reach the desk. Being at home however, the transition from the pillow to the computer can be very jarring. So do all the things you'd do to help prepare you for work: set your alarm, make some coffee, hop into the shower and get out of your PJs.
3. Structure your day
Working from home means we have a more fluid structure and we essentially become our own managers. Some of us may think of routine as a constraint or creativity-killer, but in the age of working from home, having a routine and schedule will help to keep us focused and remind us when it’s time to shift gears.
4. Set boundaries
Set physical boundaries around your designated work space that is off limits to your family or housemates. Treat your home office as if it's 10 kilometres away, and ask house members to consider it as such. This means no interruptions when you’re in a video meeting or engrossed in work, unless it’s an emergency!
5. Keep calls for the afternoon
Chances are, you’re so sleepy in the morning you don’t even wanna hear your own voice, let alone talk to your colleagues and bosses. You shouldn't be too generous with your time to yourself to become productive in the morning, but you can give yourself a reasonable time before communicating with others. Save calls and meetings for when you've officially “woken up”.
6. Make it harder for yourself to go on social media
Between researching and writing this article, I’ve already checked Facebook thrice and Instagram five times. Social media is designed to make it easy for us to browse quickly, and it’s addictive! At work, though, this can be the bane of our productivity. To counteract this, remove social media links from your browser shortcuts or log out of your accounts. You might even consider using an app to block social media from your phone and computer!
7. Don’t be afraid to take a nap
A short midday nap can be highly beneficial to your productivity and energy levels. Studies have shown that a 20-minute power nap results in immediate increased alertness, a boost in cognitive performance and improved moods!
8. Put on some music
Block your neighbour’s barking dog or excess noise with noise cancelling earphones. Studies show that soft music with soothing nature sounds – such as ocean waves, raindrops or waterfalls can help you concentrate. Video game soundtracks are also excellent at this, as the lyric-free music is designed to help players focus.
9. Avoid cabin fever
Now that we’re spending a disproportionate amount of time at home, it’s important to make it a point to go outside for a bit (of course, please remember your masks, and don’t break any social distancing rules!) Taking a walk around the block or going for a run after work hours will help you to clear your head and disconnect.
10. Pick a definitive time to end work each day
Some say that working from home will help you to establish more work-life balance, but working from home can also feel like you’re at a casino – you get so caught up in what you’re doing in a comfortable space, that you lose track of time. Much like having coworkers around to pack up and remind you to leave the office for the day, set an alarm to remind you that your work day is coming to an end.