This post was written specifically to help people deal with the very sudden transition to remote-working caused by the outbreak of the covid-19 virus, but these tips are tried and tested and can be used in any situation where you need to transition to an office to a home environment.
Working from home can be extremely rewarding and equally frustrating. If you have transitioned from an office job to remote working or to running your own business from home, then it can be quite an adjustment!
If you find that you are battling to find your work groove in your home space, try a couple of these tips:
- Have a completely separate workspace. Working from home does not remove the need to “go to work” and to “go home” at the end of the day. Having a space that is completely dedicated to work makes it easier to stay focused while working and easier to let go at the end of the day.
- Set a schedule. Previously, your schedule was set by your employer. You had to arrive at work at their expected time and you could leave when they allowed it. Now you are free to do whatever you like with your time – the problem is, human brains like boundaries. Without them, you will find it difficult to get things done. Set yourself a work schedule – it can be as relaxed or as rigid as you need it to be, but set one and stick to it.
- Dress for work. If you have been getting dressed into “work” clothes and going into an office for months and years, then just the act of putting work clothes on can get your mind into work mode.
- Schedule your email and phone calls. You will be a lot more productive if you give your full focus to the task at hand. Set specified times in your day for checking your email and making your phone calls and outside of those times, put your phone on silent, close your mail client and focus on the job in hand.
- Communicate. Firstly, with your partner. Especially if you are both working from home – make sure you know and understand each other’s routines and needs. Give each other space and listen to each other! But also, communicate with your colleagues. You are no longer in a position where someone can just walk up to your desk with a question – make sure everybody knows how to get hold of you and when.
- Keep contact with the outside world. Introverts love working from home, but even introverts need human contact from time to time, and if you’re an extrovert than being stuck indoors by yourself all day is a recipe for personal disaster. There are multiple tools at your disposal to keep contact with the outside world: Whatsapp, Skype, FaceTime and Zoom to name a few allow you to chat with people face-to-face without ever leaving your house. Keep in contact with your team, keep tabs on your staff and just generally stay in touch with the people you love. It keeps you sane, happy and productive.
Most importantly, do not let your work bleed into your personal time. It is vital to your mental and physical health that you switch off at the end of the day and enjoy being at home. Be present with your loved ones and be sure to schedule personal time into your schedule. Do not let work become everything!
If you need any assistance with setting up your home office, arranging your schedule or taking your business online, then give us a shout. Pharsyde has been working remotely for 13 years and we have been through our share of ups and downs! Our consultations are 100% free with no strings attached, so if you just want to chat through your issues, give us a shout.
