Five Tips to Stay Productive When You're Working from Home
The majority of us are learning how to work from home during COVID. It’s a new experiment for many organizations. For some of us, it can be hard to focus with kids and pets (especially if we’re sharing a small living space). For others, we’re experiencing burnout because we’re suddenly ALWAYS working.
Source: Ray Wenderlich
Cartoon that illustrates the frustration of working from home between a dad on a conference call and a kid. “Daddy, why don’t you wear pants for work?” “Hey, we’re hearing some background noise. Whoever that is, please mute your line.”
Working from home is a new habit for us to develop. I struggled a lot when I started working from home a year and a half ago. I would take 2-3 hour naps every afternoon. My dog wanted attention. I was constantly tempted to stop working and stream Netflix movies. The kitchen needed cleaning, etc., etc. After some trial and error, here are a few strategies that worked for me in order to stay focused and productive:
1. Create a structure. Give yourself a reason to get out of bed at a certain time in the morning. is there a conference call you need to get on at 9am? Can you set a morning check-in meeting with your supervisor or a colleague? Decide what your working hours are going to be. Let others know what they are. But most importantly, create and follow a routine that helps you get through the day. It should also include showering, eating lunch, and breaks.
2. Set boundaries. This tool is going to be your new best friend. If others are also working from home, let them know when it’s okay to interrupt or not interrupt. Use time limits (for example, how long are you going to work on a project before taking a break?). There’s an app called “Forest - Stay Focused” which might be helpful if you tend to be distracted by your phone.
3. Have a separate dedicated workspace. As I’m writing this blog, I’m working from my kitchen counter (so that I can stand instead of sitting in front of a computer all day). Working from home is a new challenge for those of us who have specifically made our homes our sanctuaries. By having a separate space that’s ONLY for work, you can enforce a boundary that allows you to leave your work at work when you leave the space. It can be a home office or even a desk in the corner of your bedroom. Decorate the space if you’re going to be working from home for awhile.
4. Check in with someone during the day. If you’re an extrovert, you know what I mean! Take a few minutes to connect with another human. Even for introverts who might love working alone, it can eventually feel lonely if we’re not connecting with someone else. Check-in with a family member, friend, or colleague to see how they’re doing.
5. Get dressed. It’s tempting to working in your PJs all the time. Research shows that our clothing impacts how we feel and how we show up. Clothes can make us feel more confident, authoritative, and competent. It tells our body that we’re at work. If you’re resistant to this idea, at least re-consider what you wear on top if you’re participating in a video chat.
Finally, be kind to yourself. In the age of COVID and other crises, it’s going to feel impossible to be productive. Give yourself the permission to know that you’re doing your best. Because really - at this time - It’s okay to not be okay.