With the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. and restrictions that change hourly, the majority of professionals are now staying at home, working remotely for the foreseeable future. For those who have never been able to work from home and are used to coming into an office environment every day, the next few weeks will prove to be challenging as we practice social distancing while adjusting to a new daily routine at the same time. We’ve got you covered with some tips for a smooth transition to the remote work life.
1. Keep a Routine
People who regularly work from home will often say their number one tip is sticking a routine. This means keeping a lot of the same elements of a normal workaday: getting dressed, sitting at an actual desk ), breaking for lunch, and signing off as close to normal end of business hours as possible. Set up your desk to mimic your usual workstation- keep pens, notepads, chargers, and a printer nearby so that everything is on hand for when you need it. Keeping a sense of normalcy not only helps you stay on track while working from home, but will help make the inevitable transition back to the office easier.
2. Meal Prep
Don’t count on having space in your schedule to whip up a meal in the middle of the day. Take time at the beginning of the week to prep some easy lunches. Think pasta with vegetables, grain bowls, salads, wraps, or a big batch of soup. Especially when many of us are avoiding grocery stores unless necessary and restaurants are closed, prepping meals can help provisions go farther, will save you time during the day and keep lunch stress-free.
3. Be Intentional With Your Time
Time blocking is an efficient way to get things done while still breaking up your day. Whether you have children at home, or are just sharing your space with a roommate or partner, dividing your schedule into time chunks will help you co-exist with others. Break down your day based on meetings, times you’ll need absolute silence, and times when you’re freer to socialize or answer questions. Communicate your day to other people in your home the night before. When working for home, being intentional with your time and schedule is essential for balancing family or roommates, work, regular life tasks, and relaxation.
4. Reward Yourself
While the idea of laying on the couch watching T.V. with your work laptop open may sound appealing at first, the probability of actually getting work done is slim. Instead, take advantage of being home by rewarding yourself after finishing a big item on your to-do list. Watch a half-hour episode, read a few chapters of a book, go for a walk, indulge in a new hobby, or do an at-home workout. Without commutes to worry about or distractions from coworkers, there is more room in your day for treating yourself.
As we all navigate this new frontier of working from home and social distancing, its important to take a step back, have a few deep breaths, and understand that everyone is in this together and experiencing the same difficult situations. Whether you’re still heading to the office or have been remote for days, AdvantEdge Workspaces is here to support your business no matter what!
