Whether you're temporarily there due to coronavirus shutdowns or are one of the many employees whose employers have decided to permanently adopt teleworking due to the pandemic, working from home is a big adjustment. While there are definite perks to eliminating the hassles of your daily commute, you may face challenges during the transition. These tips can help de-stress your work-from-home arrangement.
1. Establish a Real Workday
One of the biggest drawbacks to working from home is feeling like you're always at the office. You may find yourself in front of your computer at all hours of the day or feel guilty when you take a break. Developing a real workday can help solve this problem. Put together a morning and end-of-day routine to help you shift in and out of work mode.
Establish set working hours with a scheduled lunch period and breaks. Communicate your schedule to your family, so that everyone knows when you're "at work" and not to be disturbed. Also, use sick days when you're under the weather and personal days as needed. Don't think that just because you don't have to go the office that you need to sacrifice the time off your company provides you.
2. Get Some Fresh Air
While your options for out-of-the-house activities may be limited due to COVID-19, simply leaving the house to go for a short walk can work wonders for your mood. Plus, regular exercise can improve your productivity while also promoting good health.
3. Speak Up
Don't be afraid to let your company know if you need something to make working from home simpler. Whether it's technical support or a modified work schedule, make the request rather than suffering in silence or going alone. Also, find ways to socialize with your peers to minimize feelings of disconnection and isolation. Consider starting a group chat where people can discuss everything from pop culture to what they're going through due to the pandemic.
4. Reserve Some Space
Establish an area of your home as your workspace, and use it every day. If you have to opt for the kitchen or dining room table or a desk shared with other members of your family, keep all of your work supplies in a box or bin to make setting up and cleaning up easier.
5. Brush Up on Your Zoom Skills
We've all seen the videos of Zoom meetings gone wrong. Schedule a practice meeting with a friend or colleague, so that you can get acquainted with the software. Also, ask them what they think about the background behind you. Is it distracting in any way?
6. Dress the Part
It may be tempting to cruise through your workday in your pajamas, but taking the time to get dressed for work will help you feel your best during the day. You don't have to go all-in for full business attire. Choose clothing that's Casual Friday comfortable.
7. Tailor Your Communications
Remember: communicating online is much different than in person. Before you send a message or email, reread what you wrote and think carefully about your tone. Using more words is always better when you're typing rather than talking, too. Over-explaining can cut down on the need for time-wasting back-and-forth messages.
8. Keep Things in Perspective
Working from home is hard, and the pandemic is affecting us all negatively. Some days you may feel like you're not doing well at your job or at taking care of your family. Forgive yourself when you slip up, keeping in mind that everyone is going through similar circumstances and emotions. Even if you're working in an empty apartment or home, you're not alone.
Here are a few other articles to check out:
Everything You Need to Know about Timing Your Lease
5 Advantages to Using Drones in Commercial Real Estate
What Kind of Office Lease Should You Sign Post-COVID?
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