More than twenty years of working from home have taught me a few things. I’ve worked for myself and for other people. Working from home works for both. I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s why I think it’s an awesome way to work…
But for some of you, working from home is not something you chose. You love the interactions with co-workers, meetings, the noise of the phones and the chatter. All you want is to get back to your office.
That may not be happening for a bit so here are some survival tips to help you. Who knows, maybe you’ll even have some fun!
Get up, get dressed
Flip that switch in your brain to business mode by getting up and dressed for work. You can be casual and comfortable – just make sure you’re presentable.
Yes, you can prop yourself up in bed with your laptop and have your phone on the nightstand beside you. But won’t you look silly when that video call comes through? Sure, you can shuffle to the kitchen table in your fuzzy slippers and robe but your mind won’t get the memo that you’re “at work”.
An added benefit? You avoid “work-from-home spread”. Wearing stretchy clothes lets you ignore the extra weight you might be putting on being from the extra snacks you’re eating ‘cause no one can see you. A friend once called it “sweatpant syndrome”. Don’t let it happen to you!
Getting dressed for “work” is important for your attitude, health, and productivity. Don’t argue, just do it.
Establish a routine
If you don’t “workday” routine, how will you know when it’s the weekend? That’s what weekends are all about, right? A change in routine.
Having a plan for your day puts your mind into work mode. So, instead of wasting time on Facebook while you try to figure out what you should work on, you have your plan.
A routine or plan also shows other people in your home that you really are working. Managing distractions is a lot easier when people know when you are and aren’t available.
Set up a defined “workspace”
Not everyone has the luxury of a home office or a dedicated desk but you need somewhere to set up your computer. You need space for notebooks, pens, paper – whatever tools you use.
Having a defined workspace means being able to walk away or pack it up at the end of the day.
Just like your commute may have been the activity that separated work from home, packing up your work tools can do the same when you work from home. Or if you’re lucky, closing the door to your office.
Leave at the end of the day
Don’t let work take over your life. It can easily happen when you’re working from home. “Just a few more minutes on this” turns in to missing the evening with your family.
When the end of the workday comes, shutdown your laptop. Pack up your “office” if you’re working at the kitchen table or in the living room. Walk out of your home office if that’s where you’re working.
Let your mind switch gears to home and family. You need the break. You’ll be more productive and happier when you let yourself “go home”.
Learn instead of commuting
Woohoo! No long commute, no being stuck in traffic or on a crowded bus!
Make that time count. Make a plan to read a business book, work on an online course. Exercise. Do something – anything – to get better at what you do.
Video
This one took me a long time to embrace… I hate being on camera. But, I’ve learned that it’s a better “connecter” than just the phone.
Here are some tips on how to master video calls and meetings:
- Learn to work your camera!
- If you don’t want everyone to hear your call, plug in your phone’s earbuds or use a headset.
- If you’re not using earbuds or a headset, make sure your laptop microphone doesn’t pick up too much ambient noise. It’s distracting for everyone.
- If there’s lots of activity at your house, find a reasonably quiet spot. But don’t worry, interruptions from kids and pets are an accepted part of these calls – don’t sweat them.
- If you can, set your laptop on a platform so the camera looks directly at you, not up your nose. I find an external keyboard works great here – I can still type while my laptop is 5 inches off the desk.
- Do a test run with the camera.
- Are you in shot?
- How’s the background? Do you need to tidy up?
- Is it bright enough?
- Try to look at the camera – not your screen. Easier said than done…
- Limit distractions. Every time you look down to check your phone, every time you take a sip of coffee, every time you look up to smile at whoever’s walking by – someone will notice.
Missing your co-workers? Skype, Teams, Facebook, Zoom, them. (See this is why you need to get dressed!)
Having a meeting? Ask everyone to show up on video. If you’re feeling isolated and alone, seeing familiar faces – even on your screen – helps.
One company – Seth Godin’s Akimbo – has even set up a virtual co-working space! Brilliant. Here’s a link to his blog post that explains how to join up.
Maybe your company is doing something similar? Or maybe there’s another online group you could join? Check around, I have a feeling they’ll become more common. Can’t find one? Start one!
Set boundaries
One of the hardest things about working from home is convincing the other people in your house that you’re actually working.
The sooner you have “the talk” with your family, the better. Let them know that, during these hours, you are only available for emergencies. You may have to define “emergencies” to some people. Not being able to find the CocoPuffs is not an emergency.
One brilliant lady in an online group I belong to wears a sparkly tiara when she’s working. Her family knows not to disturb her when it’s perched on her head. Not sure I’d use a crown but a dollar store hat might do the trick, or maybe your favourite baseball cap!
If you’re not the only one working from home, set the rules ahead of time.
- Do you need to stagger your breaks to manage the kids?
- Will you have scheduled quiet time with no calls or meetings so you can both focus on your work?
- Do you have headsets to minimize the distraction to each other during calls or meetings?
- Will you take turns dealing with “emergencies” or is one of you the go-to person?
Talking and planning can make things run so much smoother when you’re sharing working from home space.
Take a break!
You need to take breaks. Clear your mind, shake off the stress, regroup.
Just like coffee and lunch breaks at the office, you need to take them when you work at home, too.
And not just at your desk or where you’re working. Get up, go somewhere else. Make tea. Stretch. Stare out the window. Get outside. Phone a friend. Run an errand. Take a break!
Exercise
This is especially important if you do not like working from home. Actually, it’s important for everyone.
Exercise reduces stress. Stress reduces your ability to cope physically, mentally, emotionally.
Here are some ideas to get you going…
- Go for a walk while you handle a business call or brainstorm an idea.
- Take a yoga break. There are lots of great resources online.
- Get out in the yard with the kids and kick around a soccer ball.
- Go hit a tennis ball against the local school wall.
- Lace up your running shoes and hit the road.
- Put your favourite music on and dance!
Whichever activity you choose, make sure you have something with you to take notes for those brilliant ideas that are sure to pop up!
Working from home can be a lot of fun. It just takes a little bit of creativity and planning. You never know, you might just become a convert!
Want some more tips on making the most of working from home? Check out our other posts…