Are you new to working from home? We wanted to share some successful working from home tips to help you transition into working remotely. Our policyIQ team has been staying connected and working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Some people thrive when working from home and others need a little help to get into a successful routine.
Check out these tips if you want to successfully work from home while staying productive, positive, and connected.
1. Get ready for the day and get dressed
Don't worry, comfy clothes are still allowed and recommended. :) Wake up, shower, get dressed in something other than the same lounge outfit you've been wearing all week. Getting ready for your day will help you feel alive and energetic in the morning even though you're not leaving the house.
2. Follow a consistent schedule
Stick to your preferred work hours and sign into your computer by your usual start time. Following a consistent schedule will help you stay on track and create some normalcy while working from home.
3. Avoid working in your bedroom or on the couch
Don't bring your work to spaces you typically use to relax or sleep. Working at your desk or a table in your home will get your mind into work mode and also help you transition to home life when it's time to sit on the couch at the end of the day.
4. Minimize your distractions
Turn off your phone, close the door to your office, don't open social media or personal emails until you've already gotten some of your work done. Leaving your phone next to your work space is an easy way to distract yourself so don't make it an option!
5. Tell others you live with your plan and when you are/are not available
Many of us are sharing our home with other family members who may need your help throughout the day. If you have kids in the house or parents who need assistance, work out a schedule for when you'll help them with these things. It's a good practice to tell others what times you are unavailable for meetings or important calls. Write down when you're unavailable on a piece of paper or calendar for people to check before coming into your office.
6. Take short breaks, walk around, stretch, go outside
Take advantage of the flexibility of working from home. Give yourself a few minutes outside, go for a walk, get up and stretch without your coworkers giving you funny looks. You are in control of your schedule and enjoy the little things like moving around during your work day.
7. Sit near a window to lift your spirits
Let in some light! Get your vitamin D and some positive vibes by setting up your workspace near a window. Working near natural light can boost your mood and energy levels.
8. Send a video message to your team or use video calls
If you want to stay connected, lean on video calls! This is a great way to see everyone's faces and feel like you're a team again. Send a good morning video message, schedule a daily coffee video chat, and use video when you can during meetings to liven up your day.
9. Over-communicate!
No longer can we walk over to someone's desk to ask them a quick question, but don't let this stop you from communicating! When working from home, it is often best to over-communicate to make sure tasks don't get forgotten and everyone is on the same page. Use different technologies like Microsoft Teams so send a quick message via Chat to a coworker.
10. Challenge your coworkers to a fun activity
Incorporate some light-hearted activities into your work day with a few fun challenges. Tell your team to bring their favorite mug to the next meeting or see who can wear the funniest graphic T-shirt. Have some fun with this tip and keep things on a positive note while working from home.
11. Still pack your lunch!
You may not be traveling to your office anymore, but preparing your lunch ahead of time will allow you to stay focused on your work day and not get distracted by making a home cooked meal in the middle of the day. Also, food is fuel and a healthy, balanced lunch will help you power through your work day at home!
12. Sign off and stay off
Set a goal to not work past a certain hour, let's say 6:00 pm. Put your laptop away and make sure you disconnect from your work and stay signed off. Working from home can easily turn into always working. Remember to stick to your work schedule and find balance in your routine so you can enjoy your home life and unwind.
13.Try your best and go easy on yourself!
Recognize that working from home may be a huge adjustment and it can take some time to get used to it. You may have kids, parents, or pets in the house who need your help or pull you away from your work from time to time. Be kind to yourself and just try your best! If you're struggling to work from home successfully, try implementing a few of our tips and stay positive that you will find a routine that works for you.
We hope these tips can help you during this time of #workingfromhome and that you stay positive! Let us know if you'd like to schedule a video chat or if you need extra support during this time. We will be sharing more behind the scenes of working from home on our LinkedIn and Instagram pages.