With COVID-19 in full swing, everyone is feeling the impact. And those of us fortunate enough to be able to work remotely are balancing being productive without losing our sanity from isolation. As I write this, I am sitting in my makeshift home office – which, thankfully is a quiet space secluded from my 3-year old, with dual monitors and an endless supply of coffee.
There are many unknowns with COVID-19 – from a health to an economic perspective – but if you’re stuck inside and still need to do your job, it’s important to setup a productive shop. Here are six tips I’ve gathered from work-from-home veterans and workplace experts.
Location, location, location
Having a separate workspace is a bonus, but not always feasible. It doesn’t have to be a dedicated office with a door that closes, but it should be an area that mentally prepares you for work mode, whether it’s a separate room, a small desk setup in a corner of the living room, or a laptop at the end of the kitchen table. If a separate space is not an option, map out an area that can be clear of clutter, or at least allows it to be out of sight. This may mean sitting at a specific chair in your dining room, so you don’t see the chaos in the kitchen, or pulling out a folding table in your bedroom, if it’s the cleanest spot in the house.
Put your pants (or a bra) on
While Instagram memes glorify the ability to answer emails in your robe all day, being overly comfortable will tempt you back into your bed, or to your couch. It’s important to still do your morning routine as you usually would if you were commuting into the office, since it signals to your brain that it’s time to work – not to lounge. While a three-piece suit and fully done hair/makeup is not necessary, the simple stuff makes a difference. Several work-from-home veterans have cited this tip as the one that has had the biggest impact on their ability to work effectively.
Focus on output
As a PR pro who is accountable to billable hours, utilization rates and results, this is a no brainer. However, for the average person working from home it can be challenging to maintain productivity – especially when working remotely for a few weeks, or more.
As Kari DePhillips, the fully remote CEO of The Content Factory and cohost of the Workationing podcast explains, many people will try to hide from their deliverables since they don’t feel accountable in the same way. But, she says, it’s not enough just to “be at work” with a body warming up a seat. “In a remote work environment, you’re entirely judged by the volume, quality, and timeliness of your output. In this way, remote work is a great equalizer, and you may find it gives you an opportunity to shine—and snag that next raise or promotion,” she says.
Establish a routine
It’s an all too easy habit to adopt sleeping in longer than usual and making up for lost time by working later. The issue is the tone you set for the day, and thus, your productivity. As leadership development and career expert Elizabeth Whittaker-Walker explains, when you’re away from the office, it’s more important than ever to set specific hours—and stick to them. One way to ensure you stay on track is to create time blocks, which Whittaker-Walker says could look something like this: checking email during the first and last blocks of the day, only holding calls between certain windows, and managing the hours when you feel the most alert. “If your freshest thinking is before noon, save meetings or intense work periods for the first part of the day. Cross off the day’s objectives as you complete them for an intrinsic motivation boost,” she says.
Repurpose your commute
One of my favorite perks about working from home is ditching the commute. That said, it doesn’t mean your workday should start earlier. “Use your commute time in the morning for self-renewal or family time, not work,” said Julie Morgenstern, an organization and productivity consultant and author of “Organizing from the Inside Out.”
Schedule more check-ins with your team
One of the hardest parts of being a leader – whether face-to-face or not – is managing your team. There is an added layer of complexity when you can’t walk over to their desk and check in on a project, ask a question, assign a task, or be sure they have the resources they need. Luckily, technology provides us with ample opportunities to bridge this gap. With Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, etc., these apps provide another channel for connection. Quick messages feel more authentic than formal emails, and video calls are a bonus to see and hear your colleagues and help avoid the isolating feeling of working remotely.