The thought of work-from-home inevitably sparks jealousy.
It brings up images of working in pajamas, lounging on the couch, and sending a few emails, while the money comes dripping in.
However, when forced to work from home during a pandemic, such as the one happening right now – COVID-19, we might find ourselves struggling. We might find it difficult to work from home and not go insane.
What used to seem like a dream come true can quickly become an isolating and demotivating time.
Those of us who are used to working in the office, have become used to the hustle and bustle of office life. Chatting with co-workers, grabbing coffee, while catching up about what everyone did the night before, afternoon tea, and problem-solving, while leaning over a computer screen bouncing ideas off one another seem like a normal occurrence.
Working form home takes away these things, and some may find themselves struggling.
But we got you!
To make the most of work from home, here it is:
Table of Contents
The top must-dos for how to work from home and not go insane!
Remember, you’re at work – what does this mean?
When we’re in our homes, it’s easy to forget that we’re actually working. It’s easy to drift off, become lazy, and less productive.
To prevent these things, and continue to work at your best, don’t forget to do these things!
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1. Keep regular work hours – because you’re not a machine
If you usually work 9 to 5, do so at home as well. If you usually take a 1 hour lunch break continue to do so. If you’re supposed to be done at 5, close your laptop at 5, step away from your desk, and stop checking your email.
Why is this important?
When you work in the office, there is a clear line between when you are working and when you are done work – that is when you go home you are done work.
When you work from home however, when you stop work is usually when you put down your laptop and step away from your desk – a less clear line.
Having regular work hours prevents you from keeping working way past when you usually would. This allows you to create work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Taking a lunch is tricky too. You almost feel like you’re not entitled to a lunch, because you’re already home in a comfortable space. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Like we already established, you’re technically at work, and as such, you need breaks, you need to recharge, you need to eat. You need your lunch break.
2. Set a routine – it’s not as boring as it sounds
When do you work best? When will you accomplish certain tasks? When will you take meetings?
Some things you may not have control over, but you may have more control than you think.
Set up a routine that works for you. A routine that has a mix of breaks, productive work, and social interaction, so that you can work from home without going insane. There’s no reason you cannot have a fun and enjoyable work-day ahead of you!
Set up a routine that makes you energized, productive, and efficient!
3. Talk to people!
It’s so easy to get lost into our work and lose touch with our colleagues.
Set up Zoom or Skype calls for meetings instead of over the phone. Socialize virtually. My colleagues and I have started having a 2PM virtual afternoon tea time, instead of our usual 2PM walk to the kitchen to make tea. We talk about our day, what our mother-in-law said the night before and the fun thing we have planned for the evening.
During this COVID-19 time we are also talking about how everyone is handling the situation, and new info we heard and how we can further support people at risk in the community.
It keeps us connected, recharges everyone’s batteries, and prevents you from becoming socially isolated!
4. Do yourself a favour – Don’t work in bed
Your bed is for sleeping. Don’t confuse your brain by associating your bed with working.
If you suffer from insomnia like I do, you won’t be doing yourself any favours when bedtime comes and you can’t fall asleep because you are thinking about that big project you have to do at work!
5. Instead find a designated work area
It’s helpful to designate a specific spot for work, because your brain becomes trained to think, “Okay I am working” when it is sitting there, and “Okay, I’m not at work” when away from that spot.
It helps so you don’t start to associate every part of your house with work and start to slowly loathe your whole house.
6. Stay active – your body and brain will thank you
During COVID-19, it is recommended that we all practice socially distancing. That means that gyms are a no no – if they are even open at this point.
So finding ways to stay active inside is incredibly important. If you have fitness equipment at home, that is fantastic.
Personally, I don’t. I live in a bachelor’s apartment, and my couch is facing my bed, and my dining table is facing my work table – so there is definitely no space for a treadmill. However, there is space for a yoga mat that I roll up after I’m done my workout and shove in my closet.
During my lunch break I take half an hour and do some yoga! I find it energizes me, keeps me from feeling lethargic, and keeps me sharp and focused the rest of the afternoon.
My all-time favourite yogi to practice with is Ali Kamenova on YouTube. I’ve been following her for 7 years and have never looked back!
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Whether it’s yoga, or a HITT class you’re watching from YouTube, give it a shot and make sure to stay active!
It will definitely help make work from home successful and make sure that you don’t go insane!
7. Dress up
I go back and forth on this one. Some days I dress up, some days I’m in my sweats and my brother’s Abercrombie t-shirt.
If dressing up makes you feel more productive, efficient, and professional, go for it!
8. How to deal with interruptions
Now with COVID-19, kids are out of school and are at home, your partner is also probably working from home as well.
It’s a lot of people in one space trying to get things done. It’s a lot of noise, a lot of people moving around, and as a result, potentially a lot of stress. Over a long period of time, this stress can lead to burnout.
Dealing with these interruptions will involve some organization and setting up a schedule.
If you have kids: set up a schedule for them, activities they can do in the morning by themselves, a break for lunch, and things they can do in the afternoon.
For your spouse: run your schedule by each other every day and communicate expectations. If the kids are having a crisis, who can help out in the morning, versus who has a bit of time in the afternoon.
Remember, you’re on the same side! Stay positive. You’ll get through it only if you work together!
Respect everyone’s space. With everyone at home, things may seem a bit more on edge as everyone is trying to adjust and stick to their schedule as much as possible. Stay calm, make space for allowances, continue to have patience and adapt so that you can successfully work from home and not go insane!
9. Deliver results – because you’re a boss!
Going back to the beginning, don’t forget that you’re at work. Don’t forget that you have assignments, projects, and that you are expected to be efficient.
Keep your eye on the end goal and stick to your schedule so that you continue to be the boss you are in the office!
10. Reach out – for your sake and others’
If you’re struggling, reach out to your co-workers, your manager, and your support group to find ways to adapt.
Especially during COVID-19, it’s important that we all support one another.
This is new and unchartered territory for all of us.
It’s a transition time, we’re all in this together, and together we can make it!
Here are more tips on how to work from home from people who do it successfully!
What are you doing to make work from home successful, so you don’t go insane? Leave a suggestion below for others!
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