Working from home – it sounds wonderful! But if you’ve suddenly found yourself expected to work where you live, you may have also found that it’s not as easy as you might have expected, and that there’s a learning curve.

Some of the challenges of working at home include the tendency to think you can multitask and get lots of other things done along with working – like laundry, other chores or personal business. But you may discover at the end of the day that your work is not done – and neither are the chores. If your children are home you’ll have unexpected interruptions to care for them. If you’re accustomed to working outside the home you likely feel disconnected and isolated. And with little social connection, boredom and frustration may set in even though you may have plenty of work to do. Suddenly your day feels out of control.

Here are a few tips to shorten your work-at-home learning curve and keep your life under control.

  • Time: To help you stay focused and motivated, continue managing your time as if you were in the office. Creating your daily schedule will help you manage your new routine. Consider setting reminders or a timer to help you stay on track and include time for:
    • Work
    • Breaks/lunch
    • Exercise
    • Family and pets
  • Workspace: Think about creating an in-home workspace that works the way you need and want it.
    • As much as possible, designate a space that won’t have to be disturbed or used for other purposes.
    • If possible, choose a spot that provides natural light. Studies show that natural light not only improves mood, but productivity.
    • Choose a place that’s away from the traffic patterns in your home, and the noise of TV or play areas.
    • Collect the equipment and supplies you’ll need so that you don’t have to keep leaving your space to look for items.
    • And of course, surround yourself with all the tech tools that are at your disposal.
  • Connections: Maintain regular communications with your team and colleagues.
    • Clarify how and when you’re going to communicate with co-workers.
    • Continue to use the online tools you’ve used in the office like Slack, Basecamp, and others to keep things moving and people connected.
    • Take advantage of face-to-face communication tools for your team and one-on-one meetings – such as Zoom or Skype – to keep everyone feeling connected and functioning as a unit.
  • Keep a Good Work/Life Balance In Mind: When you’re working from home, it’s important to maintain a good balance between work and life. Your attitude and mindset are something you can control. Here are some things to help you stay in balance:
    • Adopt an attitude of gratitude – be aware and appreciative of what’s good in your life and the beauty around you.
    • Reduce stress by practicing mindfulness or meditation.
    • Stay active, eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep.
    • Use this time to take a look at your life and work and embrace the opportunity to implement changes you’d like to make.
    • Take time for you.

Although we’ve had to suddenly change our routines and are dealing with uncertainties, this unprecedented situation is an opportunity for increased awareness, learning, innovation, and both personal and professional growth. Make the most of it!

“When you stop worrying about what you cannot control, you have time to change the things you can control, and that changes everything.” – marcandangel