Working from home can be amazing. However, if you’re unaccustomed to being at home during 9 to 5 on a regular basis – the adjustment can be a little daunting. To help you hit your straps and take to the remote work thing like a pro, we’ve assembled a few handy pointers we’ve found work very effectively.
Set a daily schedule
Planning your day is invaluable when working from home. Ideally it’s a good idea to do this the night before. Just because you’ve just rolled out of bed and are now at a desk down the hall doesn’t change a thing – you still need to have a routine, even though there’s now no commute and you are saving some time. Let’s face it, humans are creatures of habit, and change can unnerve us. So, knowing when you clock on and off, and what you have to achieve and by when; will mean you’re feeling a lot less pressured.
Get up early
Getting out of bed and straight into work can be surprisingly effective. Many people find that a little burst of work before breakfast can help tremendously. That’s because you can be a little more clear-headed and free of the concerns of the previous day. Others find that breakfast, rather than creating energy, can actually slow things down first thing and make you sluggish or distracted. Regardless of whether you leap into tasks pre-brekky or post, having a few sustained bursts of work throughout the day, combined with a good fresh start can do wonders. As well as a great night’s sleep the day prior of course!
Dress for work
By all means dress for comfort, but staying in your PJs won’t be the best way to get ready for the day. As for shoes? Put some on, unless you’re used to working on a beach volleyball court. Being well presented will have you feeling better, and not have you scrambling around for suitable clothing when someone springs a Zoom meeting on you.
Designate your space
Couches are comfortable, but when you get to the end of the day, will you be able to truly relax there if it’s been your work space during the day? Probably not. Make sure you put together an area in your home where you can be at your best – free of TV distraction. That way you’ll be able to close the door on work at the end of the day.
Tie the kids up
In showbiz they say “Never work with animals or children!” However, is this a little unfair? Being closer to your kids (or other people’s) can actually provide you with life-balance and a grounding point in an otherwise stressful day. If you have children in the house, use their needs as an excuse to take a break – whether it’s playing with them outside briefly, preparing a lunch for them or setting them up with art & craft activities like these here so they give you space during Zoom meetings! Don’t forget, too much screen time for those little angels can turn them into frightening devils – so keep an eye on that one!
Take regular breaks
Being at home and ‘in the zone’ can mean you don’t have the same interruptions of an open plan office, but that can be a trap in itself. You often work more effectively if you take regular breaks, and never forget lunch! It’s important! Defining the hours you take is crucial as the alternative is burnout. So do the work by all means, but don’t forget – too much work makes Jack a dull boy (or Jill for that matter), so factor in the fun and enjoy some down time.
Stay connected
On the subject of down time, even with the whole social distancing thing going on, keeping in touch can still be done. Social media, phones, SMS and Facetime are there for a reason, and making sure your friends, relatives and colleagues are going OK in their own spaces is a great idea. Just because you’re in self-isolation doesn’t mean you have to be isolated. So check in on one another and look out for them.
Friday drinks online via Zoom
Friday night was invented for a reason, and that was to paaaartaaaaay. So make sure you use it to decompress. With technology in place, you can even invite a few friends over. There’s Zoom, House Party and other software and Apps that allow you to still ‘share the vibes without the virus’. So, think laterally about catching up with friends for a themed discussion, a cocktail session, a music boogie, dress up drinks online or a silly hat night. Go for it!
Sign out
This is the most important. When you finish your work, really finish. Unplug, if possible, at a set time. Come to think of it, we’re done here. We’ll catch you later!
Wishing you all the best on your workday from everyone at First National Real Estate!