Top 5 Tips for Working From Home
Working from home (WFH) can be a balancing act. Currently, so many people are moving their traditional work environments to an online environment and trying to find a balance between their work and home lives. Fortunately, with more than fifteen years of experience working from home, we have our top 5 tips to share!
1. Use technology to stay connected
Video and teleconferencing are a couple ways to conduct productive meetings, when you cannot be face-to-face with your team. Invest in a decent headset and microphone, so you will be able to hear and speak clearly with others. You might be missing your co-workers’ company and conversation. Using online collaboration and instant messaging tools will keep you connected and up-to-date on the latest company news. Make sure you know how these tools work and test them before it is critical (especially the tricky mute button).
2. Choose a dedicated workspace
Choose a place at home where you can easily get into the right mindset for work. You can pick a special chair, table, desk, or work surface that is your own workspace, so you will be able to focus during “work time” and step away when it is “home time”. Set up your workspace with the items you would need during a normal office day, including a computer, printer, telephone, writing implements and/or a notepad to avoid having to retrieve the items at a moment’s notice.
3. Schedule what you will work on
It is important to be flexible, when working from home, but it is equally important to commit to an agenda that outlines your daily assignments. Try solidifying your schedule at least a day in advance, so it feels official when you get to work the next day. Equally important is to schedule clear breaks and pick a definitive finish time each day.
4. Pretend like you are going to the office
The mental connections you make between work and home can make or break your productivity. When you work from home, do your normal morning routine to prepare for the day, as if you are going to an office. Getting up to shower, put on clothes, eat breakfast, etc. can help you prepare for a busy day. Wearing your pajamas during the workday might sound nice but can impact your mindset and you may find yourself back in bed.
5. Communicate expectations with those who will be home with you
It is easy for others to feel that if you are home, you are available to help them or run errands, etc. It is very important to communicate with those at home to understand that you are working from home and have a schedule with dedicated tasks to complete each day. I have perfected a series of hand signals, text responses, emojis, and even facial expressions that let my family know I am on a call, working, or otherwise unavailable to help.
We all face unique challenges, especially when you might feel “forced” to work a certain way. Working from home does not have to be hard. It helps to bring a positive attitude as you face a new day. You may even find there is a lot more in common with the work you can do from home and the work you are used to doing in a traditional office.