I will be the first one to admit, that working from home (WFH), is oftentimes, just a hard test to see how long I can resist a nap or a walk to the fridge.
The effects of Corona Virus’s Covid-19 strain, have included the national mandate for Physical Distancing – the World Health Organization officially having moved away from the term ‘Social Distancing’, as it perpetuates negative mental wellbeing.
I will be the first one to admit, that working from home (WFH), is oftentimes, just a hard test to see how long I can resist a nap or a walk to the fridge.
The effects of Corona Virus’s Covid-19 strain, have included the national mandate for Physical Distancing – the World Health Organization officially having moved away from the term ‘Social Distancing’, as it perpetuates negative mental wellbeing.
For some, home is solely for comfort and unwinding; However, we’ve entering a transformative era in human history, where the nature of how & where we all work, is being fundamentally renegotiated.
I have some Tips to elevate your at-home work experience, as well as increase your productivity:
Tip 1: Stop thinking you can recreate your work environment
You’re adding undue pressure on yourself, if you are trying to replicate everything from your original work environment.
The coffeemaker won’t spew the same coffee, that weird smell you always scent isn’t going to manifest (unless it was always you!), and your manager is not going to loom about.
You need to realign your brain to properly functioning as the professional you know you are, in this new workspace you have at home.
Tip 2: Be Kind To Yourself & Embrace the light online humour people are using, to cope with being locked down
From recreating early morning commutes with one hand on the (shower) rail, to ranting about how annoying your current co-workers are being (furry gods being their usual judgemental selves), take some time to enjoy an most amusing coping method – sharing an ‘inside’ joke!
Tip 3: Keep your power drink addiction close
In order to keep on powering through the workday, try and keep the drink that keeps you going, on or near your workspace.
Love Coffee or Tea?
Keep a fresh pot near and, pour at your leisure – Avoid getting up for more drinks, because that way lies distraction and yummy food.
Tip 4: If working from comfort is unavoidable, ensure you have a portable desk.
The trays that never get any action unless its special occasions, need to start pulling their weight.
Grab a portable/foldable desk or regular tray and, situate your work gear on it. You’ll feel like a full adult working hard, and everything!
Tip 5: Find your Noise Cancelling Bliss
Whether it’s bored kids, or the outside world, find some way to cancel the noise out.
Earphones may not be for everyone, but a good playlist with the volume on high, may just get you working hard.
**Pro-Tip: Browse the free Spotify playlists on offer on Spotify.com, as their recommendations even come with Mood filters.
Tip 6: LOCK THE DOOR!
If you have adorable little ones (furry or otherwise), and a responsible human available, lock the door, or secure the area you’re using as a workspace.
While adorable, you wouldn’t want your little one’s dancing into your videoconference (though the Professor Robert Kelly CNN interview remains the cutest in news television history) with the energy of somebody that doesn’t have to think about paying bills with professionalism.
**Pro-Tip: If you know that distractions are unavoidable, then dress your little ones up in cute workwear, so atleast they look the part when they inevitably put your professionalism on the line during work.
As someone who has been working remotely for the past 5 years, I used to always stress about my dogs barking whilst I was on a work call. I used to do everything to try to keep them quiet before a call from promises of long walks and tummy scratches. However, when it came to call – time, they were ready to bark and jump into my lap, lick my face and look into camera. It has now become the new norm to include pets into your zoom or skype meetings.
Tip 7: If you’re sharing workspace at home, do NOT compare the seriousness of your jobs
I read a funny story from Lydia Kahill, talking about how she is sharing a workspace with her father, and he’s an Aerospace Engineer ordering fuselage prototypes on a conference call, while she…well, she’s drawing a duck.
As long as you’re drawing the best duck you can, then you’re doing alright workwise.
Tip 9: Assume everyone is hiding a raging existential crisis during your videoconferences
You’re not alone in your panic, grief, disbelief, and confusion.
Your colleagues also can’t believe they have to work during this trying time, so be prepared for any sort of answer when somebody asks, “How is everything?”
**Pro-Tip: I suggest companies set up chat channels for employees to just meet up and chat, with no work talk allowed.
The one thing I miss due to working remotely, is being able to socialize over coffee with co-workers. It’s easy to get caught up on work, especially when working from home. However, loneliness, and a feeling of being disconnected, are common – especially if you are not used to working from home.
Tip 10: Do not be late for work – For time management, try the Pomodoro Technique
Seriously, you don’t have that many excuses you can use anymore…unless there was serious laundry traffic on the interstate between upstairs & downstairs?!
Use your phone alarm, or a timer, and try to have intervals in your work.
Work in 25minute sets, with 5min breaks to browse Twitter, or Instagram – or my 4min fitness workouts, available on my Facebook & Instagram LIVE daily.
If the weather allows, get outside, or plan to do indoor physical activities during your longer break – things like yoga, dance games, and interactive video games.
Make it timed.
Make it fun.
Diarize it.
And the most important thing, be kind to yourself
Stay Safe.
