Due to COVID-19, there are many people who are working from home to keep businesses and projects on track. The following are some tips for working from home (part 2 Working from Home with children)
Set up your workspace
The best thing to do first is to take the time to set up your workspace in an area of your home that makes you feel comfortable. Get a good supportive chair and make sure your screen, keyboard and mouse are set up to suit your body. Also, look to remove as many distractions as possible.
Create a daily routine
Now that you are at home it is easy to start sleeping in, chatting with family, friends or housemates. You need to stick to your regular workday routine and get up, dress properly and sit-down each day and work out your tasks and also plan with a weekly calendar so that you start each day knowing what tasks you have and to be productive.
Avoid distractions
There are many distractions including Instagram, chat apps, intranets, youtube, websites and more. In this stressful time, it can be hard to concentrate but it is better to concentrate on each task and move forward so that feel at the end of each day you have achieved something.
The main distraction is the 24-hour news cycle and numbers surrounding COVID-19 and you need to make sure the TV. You may also need to remove apps from your phone and use website blockers or time limiters such as StayFocusd, Limit, Blocksite, Forest, Freedom and others that stop you from getting distracted by the news and social media.
Another tip is to turn off news and hashtag notifications on your phone and browser to make sure that you are not distracted by notifications. You can set a time during the day to check the news and social media.
Take breaks
Working from home creates the opportunity to catch up on work, start that thing we have been wanting to get to, however, it is too easy to lose track of time and work through without taking breaks or shortened your lunch break to a few minutes. Make sure to take breaks regularly as you would in the office like when you get a drink, go to photocopier, lunch etc. less allows to relax, stretch and plan your next action.
Keep moving is also key to maintain physical and mental strength. Doing office chair yoga or office exercises can also break up the day and get the blood and oxygen flowing again. Also if you can go outside take the opportunity to work in your garden or on your balcony for short periods.
Keep in touch
Make sure to check in via video chat (Zoom, Teams, Skype, etc) with your manager and your team on a regular basis (each morning or afternoon) so that you have the opportunity to learn what others are doing to “stay in the loop” and have social interaction with your colleagues. Many firms are having virtual lunches and Friday drinks to maintain a sense of team and company culture.
Reach out
We will all face times when you feel down about what is happening and this is not something to be afraid of. Once you recognise that you’re not feeling your normal self reach out to a colleague (firms should try to set up buddy systems) or friend if this is not possible (self-employed) then call a help service to get assistance and guidance.
Stay positive
This is easy to say and hard to do but staying positive is key to your mental health. Maybe you need to start off the day with your favourite song or watching an upbeat youtube video that raises your spirits. Do whatever it is that makes you happiest or keeps you smiling and helps maintain a positive attitude.
It is hard and we are facing increasingly hard times but keep looking forward to when this is over and support each other by checking in, sharing work, sharing your favourite landscape and your own tips.
More tips for parents part 2 Working from Home with children
Article Written by Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of WLA.
Cover Image – Flickr User – Ted Mielczarek
DISCLAIMER: This article is for educational purposes only. The content is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest. It’s not intended to be comprehensive, nor to constitute advice. You should always obtain professional or legal advice, appropriate to your own circumstances, before acting or relying on any of the above content.
