The recent outbreak of coronavirus and the shutdown of many restaurants, schools and more has really changed the way that we live our lives. Those of us who can have been asked to work from home for the forseeable future. While working from home may seem like a dream come true – sweatpants and no makeup – it can actually be quite difficult.
The company I work for, Bloomeffects, is a very global company. While we have an office in New York, our team in Amsterdam works entirely remotely. I’ve been off-and-on working from home since I started with the company a year and a half ago. But I’ve been full time WFH since my boss had her baby in December. And let me tell you. Working from home is not for the faint of heart. Which is why I wanted to share tips for working from home that have helped me to manage living and working in the same space.
Check out the below tips for working from home and let me know what helps you stay focused and motivated when you’re not leaving the house.
Xx, Kelsey
TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME
Create a dedicated workspace – For me, this meant getting a desk that I use only for work. If you’re only temporarily working from home, try and set a section of the kitchen table that’s only for work. While it might seem like a dream to work from the couch or your bed, I promise productivity will suffer.
Set regular working hours – One of the most helpful tips for working from home is to set specific work hours. I always start my days around 9am or 10am and end by about 6pm. It’s really easy to work a little, do some personal stuff, work a little more, and end up in this never-ending cycle where you’re always sort-of working. Setting office hours really helps you decide when to close your computer for the day and keeps work from bleeding into your personal life.
Get (kind of) dressed – When I work from home and know I won’t be going out, I don’t bother with a full outfit and makeup. In fact, I love doing extra skincare while I’m working from home. While you can stay in something comfy like leggings and a sweater, avoid staying in the same thing you slept in. The act of changing and prepping for the day will help get you in the right mindset for work.
Write a to-do list each day – Working from home can feel overwhelming at times. Writing a prioritzed to do list at the start of each day will help you prioritize what needs to get done. If there’s something personal I need to get done, I usually add that in as well. For example, I might answer emails for an hour, throw on a load of laundry, and then get cracking on a difficult project.
Set a snack schedule – Working in the kitchen can make it very tempting to constantly snack. But getting up and grabbing food every five minutes isn’t going to help you focus. Set specific times that you’ll eat or snack. I always have breakfast right when I start work. A snack around 10 or 11am. Lunch gets made at 1pm. And an afternoon snack happens around 3 or 4pm.
Don’t turn on the TV – Would you ever have the TV running on one screen while you work at the office? Probably not. So why do that at home? The TV is a guaranteed distraction when you’re working.
Keep your phone in the other room – I don’t always do this one, as I often need my phone for work. But it can be very tempting to spend way too much time on social media when you know your boss isn’t going to stroll by and ask what you’re working on. When I’m feeling particularly susceptible to distractions, I’ll leave my phone in another room. I then pick it up when I’ve finished whatever project I’m working on.
Turn your video on – One of my favorite tips for working from home is to turn on video for your calls. Being home alone all day can get VERY isolating. Even if everyone is on the phone in no makeup, it’s really nice to see everyone’s smiling faces and feel connected to who is on the other end of the line.
Break up your day – If you’re having a really hard time with the monotony of working from home, try giving yourself one (yes, just one) 20 minute break during the day. Use this break to do something constructive like a quick workout or a walk around the block. Setting a specific time and planning a specific activity ensures that you don’t get distracted and wrapped up in doing nothing for hours.
