Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of Americans have made the transition to working from home and are still doing so today. Some people have found excitement in their new home offices, while others have struggled to stay focused.
No matter how working from home has been going for you, there are numerous helpful tips, tricks and resources that can help you get into a better swing of things.
Set Yourself Up For At Home Success
Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, where to work and how to create realistic boundaries between work and personal life. Understandably, finding the right balance can take time and effort, but with the right tools you’ll enjoy working from home in no time.
- Maintain Regular Hours
First and foremost, create a schedule that works for you and whomever you share your workspace with. By setting specific hours for work, you are more likely to stay productive and on task. One of the best parts of working from home is the flexibility, and sometimes you need to extend your day or start a bit earlier to accommodate your workload.
Jill Duffy at PCMag suggests using “automatic time-tracking apps, such as RescueTime, [which] let you check in on whether you’re sticking to your schedule. They can also help you figure out what times of day you’re most productive versus when you slack off. You can use that information to your advantage by reserving your hours of high focus for your most important tasks.”
- Create A Morning Routine
What task in your morning routine indicates you’re about to start work? It could be taking the time to savor a cup of coffee before looking at your to-do list or getting dressed (pajama pants to work is a perk for some but a bad strategy for others). A consistent routine will help you start your workday in the most productive mindset possible.
- Set Ground Rules
Do you have kids at home or share your office with your partner? If someone is going to be in your workspace on a daily basis, it’s important to set boundaries with that person. Share your schedule with them so they know when you’ll be on important calls or video conferences.
- Socialize With Colleagues
There’s no better way to feel connected than getting to know your coworkers. Be it a Facebook group page or a messaging system like Microsoft Teams or Slack, it’s important to make the effort to engage with your colleagues.
No matter how long you’ll be working from home, you’ve probably figured out by now that remote work is a completely different beast from what most of us are used to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or burned out trying to find your groove, just remember your experience is completely normal.
For more recommendations on working from home, check out these additional articles on our blog today!