HOW TO STAY SANE AND MOTIVATED WHILE WORKING FROM HOME
For many of us, working from home is nothing new. We know only too well the joy of not having a commute, being able to keep costs low and giving ourselves a flexible schedule.
But we also know that it can be a battle at times. Just getting motivated to sit at our desks and start something is tough when we're in our home environment, surrounded by distractions.
We will create bad habits and it’s ok. We might stay in our pajamas, forget to take breaks and work even longer hours than we would if we had a job and worked for someone else.
For some of us that have worked from home, it’s just getting back into the groove of things and for the rest of you, this is a whole new ball game. Here are some tips to help you stay focused, healthy, productive and happy (and some reminders for those of you who are carrying on as usual).
Get up and get ready as normal
Shower and get dressed as though you're going to the office. Have breakfast and have a work 'start time'. Don't immediately go to your laptop: give yourself a healthy morning routine. Some people find it helpful to leave their home, go for a little walk and return, mimicking a commute to kickstart work mode.
Give yourself a Work area
Find somewhere away from the rest of the family where you won't be distracted. Make that area tidy and remove any clutter. Natural light helps, so by a window is recommended – as long as there are no glares on your computer screen. Make a sign for the kids stating the hours of work.
If you're not used to working from home and don't have a dedicated desk or setup, create one to take care of your body and avoid causing pain. Use a TV tray, a pillow or even a stool to create a desk for yourself. Don’t forget to push those shoulders back every once and a while, your neck will thank you later.
Give yourself a timeline
Distraction is the enemy at home. You need focus. Time blocking is a simple process that helps you boost productivity. This is how it works: map out the hours you are going to work and divide it by the number of tasks you have for the day. Now put them into priority and schedule them into your day accordingly. Adjust your times longer or shorter depending on the task difficulty.
Get outside and walk
During your breaks, take the opportunity to leave the house for some fresh air, exercise and vitamin D. A new report reveals that exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.
Take advantage of virtual tools and apps
If you're self-isolating right now, you can still stay in touch with clients and colleagues, as you know. But it's the "face time" that's important. We all know of Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom but what about Facebook and Instagram. Schedule virtual meetings with people to stay in the loop and maintain relationships. And if you want to feel like you're in an office with other people? Some people use Zoom Rooms to beat loneliness and have fellow creatives in the background for the company.
Have a strict cut-off time
It's so easy to fall into the trap of overworking at home. Set a time when work must stop! Tomorrow is another day, after all. And you'll probably do better work after a night's rest. Of course, you don't have to follow a traditional 9-5 if you're more productive at other times.
Mentally close the door on your work
If it helps, write your job list for the following day – the physical act of writing everything into a notepad will act like a "brain dump", helping you to close the door on your working day and switch off. LET IT GO!