Working from home was once a professional perk many coveted to provide a better home/work balance, freedom from the dreaded cubicle or a comfortable creative space to reach your highest potential. Nowadays, working from home has become a necessity and not always a welcomed one. As so many of us transition from professional static workplaces to laptops in our living rooms with family and roommates wandering about, coming up with strategies and routines to help you avoid losing your professional focus and efficiency has become key.
Here are our Top 3 Tips on keeping up the professional momentum and being a successful work-from-home transplant!
Have a dedicated workspace
Creating a space in your home that is dedicated to working, organized for maximum efficiency, and equipped with all the things you need to accomplish your goals goes a long way to how you think about working from home. If you are used to having multiple screens at your office, set up multiple screens at home. If you prefer to use a certain color/size post-it to stay organized, have those on hand. If you need more outlets for devices, pick up another power strip. Having a dedicated space also tells others in your home that when you are sitting there, you are working. Loved ones in your home will begin to get used to your routine and understand that sitting at your workspace means they need to respect your boundaries (more on that later.)
Create a routine
I know everyone says this, but it really is imperative. This does not mean you scheduling a time to Zoom meet with your colleague to gossip, but put a general structure in place for your daily time management. Confirm the time you are expected to start work with your supervisor and be at your workspace a few minutes before then to start up your computer, equipment, organize your desk, just like you would at the office. Come to your workspace comfortable, but presentable. Don’t be THAT person to be caught off guard by urgent, last-minute video conference and you are sitting there in your pajamas with hair all askew! Set a time to step away for lunch and take a break. Keep your normal workflow as you would in your office - check your email and calendar first thing, return phone calls at appropriate times, do daily tasks on their normal schedule, create a to-do list for the next day before you finish up. And most importantly, be able to shut off Work-You and transition into Home-You when the day is done.
Create boundaries for yourself and others
Being clear about expectations is helpful in any relationship, both personal and professional. This is never more important than when you are working from home. Create boundaries for yourself around the hours you are committed to working, spaces in your home that are dedicated for work and if doing personal tasks throughout the day is manageable or even realistic. Clarify expectations with your colleagues and supervisors regarding hours/extent you are available. Nothing is worse than sitting down to dinner with your family, only to let yourself be pulled away by an emergency work call that turns out to not be as urgent as you thought. Many people lose track of time, days etc. in an extraordinary situation such as this. They may begin working far more than normal to keep their mind busy because they think “Why not? There’s nothing else to do.” This is where the expectation comes in, just because someone else is working 70 hours a week, does that mean you have to as well? That definitely depends on your role and responsibilities, but having clear expectations with your supervisor and colleagues will help you navigate any sticky situations. And finally, if there are other people in your home while you are working, talk to them about the kind of space, noise level and types of interruptions are acceptable during your workday. Make sure they know what your workday consists of. You can also reinforce this with something as simple as a kind sign on your workspace door that states how long you need silence for during a video conference or what time you will be done for the day (cute, colorful drawings may help with your new little “co-workers” that may not be able to read.)
Always remember that every one of us is different in how we think, work, and focus. What works for one, may not work for another. Try a setup, schedule, etc. and if it doesn’t seem to work for you, mix it up. Do what you have to do and always stay positive!