Hello there! How are you holding up? Due to the current situation with COVID-19, aka Coronavirus, many of us are forced to work from home — including our Crew. Therefore we have decided to write down some tips on how to handle this Fortress of Solitude called home office.
Stick to a routine
Working from home can be quite misleading to your mind. It’s an environment you normally don’t associate with work. Routine can be helpful. It sets boundaries and links this not-so-new environment to your working habits. So what routine should you stick to?
· Get up as you would usually during working days (if you commute, stay in bed about half an hour longer — the home office has its benefits)
· Dress up. Stay comfy, but not too much. This is an ultimate hack, don’t underestimate it.
· Do what you would normally do after you arrive in the office. Get a cup of coffee, make cereals, scroll the news.
· Find that right spot where you can sit all day without getting distracted by the TV, radio, coffeemaker, direct view from the window on the bench in the park bathing in the sunlight… you get the picture.
· Don’t forget to eat your lunch or snacks. Eat what you usually eat in the office and at the same time.
Set home office rules
In case you share your household with others, maybe a roommate, spouse, or with your family, ask them to be patient and respect your working hours. It’s all about communication, so don’t be shy and talk to them.
Socialize
Don’t forget to socialize with your coworkers. It’s not a problem with all that technology we use daily. Slack, Skype, Teams, or Messenger. It’s really easy to chitchat or talk about your current task, even during a coffee break.
Be especially aware of the necessity to socialize when you are all alone in your home. The feeling of isolation and solitude can be overwhelming. Don’t try to endure things, if you don’t have to. Stay in touch with the same people you would talk to when in office.
Know when to turn your computer off
It’s „…to-5“ not „…till-you-collapse-from-exhaustion“. Know when to stop. If you want to work more because you don’t have to commute and you feel effective, well, enjoy it. But tomorrow is a day like any other. Don’t try to finish two weeks’ worth of workload in just one day.
Realize the benefits
As we have mentioned before, the home office has its benefits. It’s not just sleeping longer. You can cook in a fully equipped kitchen — if you have one, of course. You can enjoy the mornings on your balcony. Or use your breaks to do some pull-ups, push-ups, or cycle for a while on your stationary bike.
Conclusion
See? Home office is not a big deal. Actually, it can be quite good for your productivity. According to some studies, employees working from home tend to work a full-shift and are less distracted or take fewer breaks. Stay safe, folks!
Read on: Work From Home Revolution