Many workers have jobs that can be done from home, including consultants, marketing professionals, writers, and software engineers like those at BairesDev. But, if you've been working from home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have mixed feelings about it.
You are probably thankful that you can continue to earn an income through a declining economy. But if you have inadequate workspace or the kids need to be supervised while you try to concentrate, you might want to be back in the office - long commute and all.
Or maybe you initially liked having your living room as your office space, but its novelty wears off as this arrangement continues, perhaps much longer than expected. If your working from home doesn't seem ideal right now for whatever reason, try these suggestions to help you keep going.
No matter what you think of working from home, you can take comfort in the fact that it offers a number of benefits. On the one hand, working from home can make you more productive. If your kids, spouse, or other family members are also at home, you spend more time with your loved ones.
Plus, all those little things you hate in the office (terrible coffee, too strong scent) are no longer a problem, your commute time is eliminated and you have more control over how you spend your time.
Your working from home experience will be much better if you have the right tools to help you stay productive. To get started, make sure your wired or Wi-Fi connection is robust and secure. Many employers will send an IT support person or pay an outside tech professional to make sure your equipment is up to date. If your Wi-Fi router is over five years old, you may need to replace it.
You also need the right apps to support your work, including communications software like Zoom or Slack, a project management app like Trello or Basecamp, and a distraction blocker like Freedom to help you avoid the temptation to watch. social media all day.
When working from home, it is doubly important to communicate with your colleagues. But take time during breaks or off-peak hours to stay in touch with others, including family and friends. Set up virtual coffee or lunch dates or use fun apps like Netflix Party and Houseparty to play games or watch movies together.
Also, stay on top of what's going on in the world, but be careful not to overdo it. Consuming too much news, especially about the pandemic, can lead to feelings of hopelessness, even depression. If you're a news junkie, at least look for the positive stories to make up for the bad ones.
If you don't feel comfortable working from home but don't know why, it may be because you haven't created a structure for yourself to mimic the one you had at the office. Use the following tips to build more organization into your day:
- Have a designated workspace. You don't have to designate an entire room as an office if that's not practical in your home. But you should have a reserved place where you do your work every day, even if it's the kitchen table. If so, put all of your work gear in a storage bin when you're done each day's work so you can use the space for other purposes as well.
- Plan your day. With work and personal life overlapping, it's more important than ever to plan your day. Consider the needs of others in your household, including school-aged children and other adults who may also work at home. Designate times for concentration, meetings and breaks.
- Have a morning routine. Even if you no longer need to prepare for going somewhere, you should still have a morning routine to help you gradually shift into "work mode." Eat a healthy breakfast, take a shower, and anything else that will help you feel productive at the start of your day.
- Remember to take care of yourself
- Sleep well. One of the best things you can do for your health is sleep well. Do not take your work into the bedroom with you. Or, if you have to work there during the day, be sure to store your work gear out of sight at night.
- Eat well. Just like you would while working in the office, plan your meals while working from home. In particular, make sure you have healthy snacks on hand.
- Go outside. Working and living at home can make you feel like you never leave home, which is why you should make time to do so each day.
- Exercise. Make time in your schedule for movement, even if it's just a few simple stretches. Better yet, use your time outdoors to walk, cycle, hike, or do whatever helps you feel the most refreshed.
- Mental Health. Check with yourself every day to see if you need anything from a mental health standpoint: a treatment appointment, a day off, or maybe just a good, long bath.
Self-care is essential in these stressful times and everyone has their own version of it. The key is to do the things that keep you energetic and healthy. Here are some examples:
Whether you've been wanting to work from home for years or can't wait to get it over with, there are many things you can do to make it a better experience. Try the tips listed here to help you stay productive and happy in your alternate work environment.