Tips for Working From Home

It’s a lot easier than you think.

Photo by Simon Abrams on Unsplash

With the spread of COVID-19 and out of an act of caution, most schools have been canceled forcing parents to work from home. Working from home is a difficult skill to master if it’s not something you’re used to and I want to help.

Take A Shower

As simple as that might seem, taking a shower might be the most important thing you do all day if you work from home. Something about getting clean, fixing your hair and coming out nice and fresh helps you feel better, making it easier to get started working.

Put Shoes On

Putting on shoes signals to your body, “We’re about to go somewhere”, which is good. Because you are. Similarly to taking a shower, putting on shoes makes you feel more professional and as if you are actually going somewhere to get work done.

Find Your Spot

This is crucial. Find a spot inside your home that is specific to getting work done. Don’t use your bedroom or the family room and only use your kitchen if you absolutely have to. If you do have to use your kitchen, choose one seat at the table and don’t move it.

Just like when you sit down at your desk for work, sitting down at the designated spot tells your brain to go into “work” mode.

Work in Intervals

There are two types of people when working from home. Type A gets into a flow state as soon as they wake up and can’t turn it off until they pass out at their laptop. Type B can’t focus on a single piece of work for more than five minutes.

Both are bad.

Whether it be 30 or 90 minutes, pick an interval and stick with it. Work for 30 minutes straight and take a five-minute break. Or, work for 90 minutes straight and take a 15-minute break (my preferred method). Doing this helps you focus and say “okay, at 1:30, I’m going to stop for a lunch break”. Failure to work in intervals will result in no work done or too much work done but, your exhausted and your family will hate you.

Stop When The Workday is Over

The danger of working from home is that it’s easy to hop on one more email or conference call at 7:00 pm if need be. DON’T DO THAT.

People often work out more when they have a home gym because of how accessible it is. Don’t fall into this pattern with work. Whether it by from 6:00 am — 2:00 pm or 9:00 am — 5:00 pm, set a schedule and stick to it. That email will be waiting for you in the morning but a fun night with your friends only comes once in a while.

If you have any questions, send me an email!