COMPANIES around the globe rolled out mandatory work-from-home memos amid the spread of Covid-19.
It's realistic to say that shifting to the home office will become the new normal for many, since the virus has officially reached pandemic status, possibly two weeks or four months or even forever.
Now, some folks will be working from home for the first time, which means identifying how to stay on task in a new environment that may not lend itself to productivity. Nonetheless, there are ways to deliver outputs and avoid going stir-crazy, from setting up a good workspace at home.
1. Treat it like a real job (Because it still is)
Take a shower and get dressed (Really Pat? That's where we're starting?) Yes. Just because you can lounge around in pajamas doesn't mean you actually should. Increase 'zen' and get in the zone, folks!
When working from home, you're your own manager. Without things huddles to break up your day, you can be quick to lose focus or burn out.
So instead of lying in bed with a laptop or cooping yourself up on the couch, spaces that are associated with leisure time, start with something more deliberate.
The key could be something as simple as moving a nightstand into a corner far away from distractions, plopping down your computer and sitting in an upright chair, like you would at your office desk. Just dedicate a space or surface in your home to work. But it's better if you could match your music to the task at hand (Yes. The songs of career. Cheesy, but admit it, it's true.)
2. Stir up the communication
Out of sight, out of mind can be a real pain for remote workers. More so, some managers are not even used to managing people virtually, or companies might not have a ready-to-go suite of tools.
So when you do communicate with the squad, it helps dramatically if it's in a form of “richer” communication that's face-to-face and instant. Skype and Zoom works great for video conferences, while the usual chat apps and Slack for instant messaging.
At the end of the day, Coronavirus or not, the key to working from home is clear communication and knowing exactly what's expected of you.
3. Make it harder for yourself to mess around on social media (If your work is not about it)
To block your social networks' ease of use during work hours, snap them out from your browser shortcuts and log out of every account. You might even consider working primarily in a private or, if you're using Chrome, an "Incognito" browser window.
4. Set expectations with the people at home
Surely, you might at home but still have "company." Thus, see to it that your roommates, siblings, parents (especially your mom) spouses, and pets (well, maybe not pets) respect your bounderies during work time. Just because you're working from home doesn't mean you're home.
5. Keep spirits up and interact with humans
Keep in mind: You're working from home, not the moon. Prolonged isolation could also potentially impact on morale and productivity. Make no mistake, these are stressful times. Negative headlines, worrying about sick or elderly loved ones and beating the urge to go panic buying for a rubbing alcohol can all put work-related tasks on the back burner.
Thus, mingling with other people during the day is encouraged. In fact, it's a good idea to see another face during the day when most of your work day is solitary.
Stay active until our next chat!