As I write this article we are under a stay at home order because of the COVID-19 virus. I am fortunate that I have worked remotely in prior jobs. For many people, this is their first time working remotely and it can be challenging, particularly when you’re balancing work and family. How can you be more effective in working from home? How can you make the most of this time? Here are some tips to help you.
1. Be structured and have a plan – routine is critical!
It’s important to develop and stick to a routine when working remotely. In her webinar “How to effectively work remotely” trainer Barb Bruno stresses the importance of keeping a schedule just as you would if you were getting up to go into the office. Follow the same morning routine. For me this means a relaxing cup of coffee and some quiet time before I get up. Still, get up and get ready in the morning. Tempting though it may be, don’t work in your pajamas. Your mindset is important. While you don’t need to dress in office attire, it is important to feel professional.
Take time to plan your day as if you were in the office. Put together your list of tasks for the day and hold yourself accountable to them. Additionally, before you end your day, note which tasks are completed and plan your next day. I like to do it this way for two reasons; it stops me from thinking about things I need to do once I finish work and I already have my plan when I walk into my office in the morning. This prepares me to get going right away.
Taking breaks is important. too. If you don’t, you’ll get tired and lose focus. Structure your breaks as you would at work. I like to push hard in the morning (that’s when I’m most productive) then take a late lunch break to recharge. One of the great things about working from home is that you have the flexibility to take a walk or exercise in the middle of the day. Take advantage of that! If you have young children, this may be a time that you take time to play with them. Whatever you do, let it be a time that recharges you.
2. Have a designated workspace
Find a space that you can occupy when you start work and leave when you finish work. Having this physical separation really helps keep work life and home life separate. For me personally, it really helps having a room with a door, for several reasons; I can shut the door when I am on a call or need to concentrate and I can also leave the room and close the door when I finish my day. That really helps keep work separate for me. When my children were younger, it also helped because they knew when the door was closed they had to enter the room, quietly, and couldn’t talk until I gave them the “okay.” Wherever you set up your work space, do all you can to minimize distractions and stay focused. This includes setting expectations with your family and training your pets. Be patient with yourself as it will take time.
3. Over-communicate with your manager!
When we talked about working from home, one of the things I shared with our team was to over-communicate with me, as their manager. When you work remotely, you should be talking to your manager and emailing with them more than you normally would. Share your daily plan and completed items with them, as this will make it much easier for them to provide suggestions and input. It’s also a great way to show your progress on key action items. Remember, it’s easy for emails and texts to be misinterpreted. When in doubt, pick up the phone.
4. You need interaction!
In the office, it’s easy to walk down the hall and bounce ideas off co-workers or just catch up on life. Working from home can feel isolating, without this interaction. Look for other ways to communicate. Zoom or other video conferencing tools are great for meetings and provide that personal, face-to-face time. Group texts can be an easy and fun way to keep in touch with your co-workers and celebrate successes and phone calls are always great for catching up or brainstorming. Interaction comes naturally in an office setting but you have to be more intentional when you’re working from home.
5. Use zoom or other video conferencing software
There are many low cost or free video conferencing services available. If your employer doesn’t already have one set up using zoom’s free app, is a great way to get started. The Wall Street Journal recently shared some great tips for having better video chats. When choosing a spot to video conference, pick a room with good light. You want to have the light source behind the camera; a tabletop light works well for this. Also make sure that you don’t sit in front of a window as it will make the video appear dark. Position your chair so that your eyes are level with the camera. Zoom gives a preview option so that you can test the video and audio functions before you join the conference call. Lastly, make sure that you’re somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed by family or pets.