Successfully Work from Home During COVID-19…and Actually Get Something Accomplished

27 Mar Successfully Work from Home During COVID-19…and Actually Get Something Accomplished

Some people love the freedom of working from the comfort of their own home, but some thrive off of and need structure. If you’re used to office life and are now working from home, you may be going through a bit of a culture shock and wondering how in the world you’re going to get anything done. Here are a few tips to help you become more productive and learn to love to work from home! (Who knows, you may not want to go back to the office when the time comes!)

1.  Set a Routine!

This is SO IMPORTANT. I’ll be honest, I was really good at this the first few days when I started working from home…and then I wasn’t. Don’t adopt the, “Well, I don’t HAVE to get up, I could just lay in bed and work, or sleep another hour…” mindset. Just don’t. Try to get up at the same time every day and stick to a schedule. For me, that’s wake up, work out, check emails briefly, shower and get ready, grab breakfast and start work for the day! Find what works for you!

2.  Get Ready For the Day

This can vary for everyone! I don’t style my hair or put on nice work clothes (cause why?), but I still do my makeup and look presentable (sorry no pajamas). For me, I want to be comfortable but not ready-for-bed comfortable. Plus, if you video chat with your boss or co-workers you want to appear presentable and professional. That doesn’t mean you can’t wear sweatpants though; business on the top, casual on the bottom! (And slippers are a must.)

3.  Take Breaks!

I find that it is so easy to just sit and work and never get up. To combat this, I try to drink a lot of water, so I’m not only getting up to refill my water, but for bathroom breaks too. I also recommend taking a lunch break at the same time every day. I can’t tell you how many days I have looked at the time, it’s 3pm and I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Take a break, eat, maybe go for a walk to get out of the house for a bit, let your mind reset and then get back to it!

4.  Implement a New Fitness Routine

I have implemented a mini fitness schedule into my routine. Every 2 hours, I get up and complete a two minute “workout”. Check it out and feel free to try it! (No burpees, I promise.) (Downloadable/Printable PDF Version)

5.  Create a space where you enjoy spending time

If you are now working in your guest bedroom and you just hate being in there, spruce it up a bit! Lots of light, a good smelling diffuser, fun décor, heated blanket, music playing, whatever makes you happy! Some people will say don’t turn on the TV, but I have always been more productive with background noise, whether that’s music or TV. Now, I don’t recommend turning on a show you actually want to watch because then, no, you probably won’t get much done. But I like to turn on HGTV, turn down the volume and let it fill the silence. If you do this, I do recommend having your back to the TV so you aren’t tempted to just sit and watch.

6.  Block Scheduling

To make sure you stay on track and get everything done that you need to, try writing everything out and scheduling out time to work on each specific task. This helps keep me accountable and stay disciplined, otherwise I just sit there and ask myself where to start.

7.  Use Software such as Microsoft Teams and Asana

My boss and I communicate using Microsoft Teams, and I can’t tell you how helpful it is! Instead of emailing back and forth or calling each other, Teams has a chat feature as well as the ability to make voice calls or video chat! We conduct our weekly staff meetings and touch base often using the video call feature. We love the chat feature too because it makes communicating easy and efficient, especially because there is an app for your phone so you can communicate on the go!

We also use Asana, which is a great task management app! Working remotely can be a little overwhelming at first, but Asana allows you to log and track progress on projects, assign yourself or others tasks and due dates and communicate with teammates about tasks. My boss can assign me a new task and attach any necessary resources I’ll need to complete it. I can easily see what exactly I need to do, when it is due and use the comment section to tag her if I have any questions. All of your tasks will show up in chronological order and you can mark them complete as you finish them. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s even better than crossing something off of a to-do list.

8.  Meal Prep

One of my biggest fears when I started working from home was that I’d snack all day. I try to stay disciplined and set certain times for meals and snacks. I also make sure I keep healthy snacks on hand so I’m not eating junk. If you start to feel hungry, try drinking more water; you might just be thirsty! I’ve also found that working from home gives you more time to spend making meals at night too. I LOVE having more free time in the evening!

9.  Designate Work Hours

It can be distracting if your roommate, significant other, children or even pets are at home while you’re trying to work. (Especially if you get easily distracted like me. And I don’t even have kids!) Make sure you designate specific work time and spaces. Not only does this help set boundaries for everyone, but then you also don’t risk getting burnt out. Finding a good work-life balance is key!!

10.  Keep in Touch with the Outside World

Working from home can get a little lonely, especially if you’re used to being able to talk to co-workers whenever you want. (I call my mom a lot now…) Schedule lunch visits with friends or block out time to call friends or family if you can’t go out (but try to stick to the allotted time). If you need to meet with a client or colleague, consider meeting up at a coffee shop or restaurant. Or even if you just need a change of pace, try working from a library, coffee shop, park or a restaurant so you can remain connected!

I hope these tips can help you become a pro when it comes to working from home. Just remember, not everything works the same for everyone, you just have to find what works best for you! IF you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out!  We’re your one-stop-shop for all things marketing AND effectively working from home! Contact us for more information.