For many businesses, Colewood included, preventative measures against the Coronavirus outbreak have involved employees working from home. While transforming your home into an office space for a considerable time seems like a daunting and tricky task, there are some simple tricks you can implement to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. At Colewood, we’re into our second week of working from home and wanted to share some things we’ve found help us to get the most out of the work day.
Stick to your regular routine
It can be difficult to separate work from your personal life, especially when they are in the same place. More than anything, working from home can increase the temptation to have that extra hour in bed and to stay in your pyjamas. It’s important to get into the right headspace before starting work so you can be as productive as possible. Try to stick to your regular routine, by waking up at the same time, getting ready and dressed and carrying out your work day as normal.
Create a dedicated workspace
Being able to focus is key to getting the most out of your work day. By finding a dedicated spot in your home to work, you can train your brain to associate that space with your job. It helps to have separate computers for work and personal use as it can stop your brain being distracted by things like social media and other non-work related activities. However, this is not always realistic, so something as simple as defining your workspace can really help to keep you productive and motivated.
Take regular breaks
As much as nobody likes to admit it, it’s unlikely that we are all working 100% of the time, even in the office. Between coffee breaks and chats with co-workers, it’s important to give your brain a break from constant concentration. Try to take regular short breaks to give your eyes and brain a rest from work. During this difficult time when most people are confined to their homes, it can be a good idea to open a door and get some fresh air to refresh your mind and keep yourself motivated.
Socialise (distantly…)
There’s no denying, working from home can be lonely and often means you won’t have contact with another person all day – especially for those that live alone. At Colewood, we pride ourselves on our extremely social office, which has made working from home even more of a culture shock. Luckily, there are ways to keep in contact with people when you’re alone. Video conferencing is being increasingly utilised by businesses to keep in contact with their team, stay in the loop and have some well-earned downtime to chat with others.
Set ground rules
Schools have closed, businesses are shut and people have been told to stay at home. With the extra people in the house, it can be difficult to not be distracted. It’s important to set some ground rules with anyone that will be in your space during the day to outline what they can and can’t do. Family members need to be mindful that you still need to be in a mindset to work and stay productive. Let’s not forget the best example of the consequences of not setting ground rules when you’re working from home…
Working from home is a learning curve for many, especially if it’s not what you’re used to. So, it’s important to find what works for you, but by adopting these simple tips, you will hopefully find yourself motivated and able to work productively.
