Many companies are now implementing voluntary or mandatory work-from-home policies, which means a lot of us are dealing with an unusual challenge: working from home for the first time, full-time. It’s a big transition for a lot of people: it might be for an extended period of time, your whole company is involved, and you can’t socialize in person outside of work.
Here are some tips to make sure that you’re successful, both at maintaining your well-being and at getting work done:
Designate a workspace
If you never fully disconnect from work, your productivity will suffer and your home life can take a hit. Try to make your workspace comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and a few decorations. An area with good natural lighting is a big plus.
Keep clearly defined working hours
Just as you separate your workspace, you should be clear about when you’re working and not. You’ll get your best work done and be most ready to transition back to the office- plus, if your role is collaborative, being on the same schedule as your coworkers makes everything much easier.
Build transitions
Just because you’re not commuting doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carve out routines to help you ease into your workday. Maybe you usually read or listen to music on your commute, in which case you can do that at home.
Don’t get distracted
It’s human to get distracted, but you need to be wary of how much you let yourself lose focus. Consider setting timers for any breaks you take, as you don’t want to get too immersed and forget you’re at work altogether.
Communicate
Come up with a plan that lays out expectations for when you should check in and how you’ll convey changes. Communicate with your manager and direct reports so everyone is on the same page.
Source: The Muse