There’s no denying that these are unprecedented times. From school closures to shutting down all non-essential businesses, very few people on Earth, if any, have experienced anything quite like what’s happening in the world today. For the first time in our history we are witnessing an almost complete mobilization (or, more accurately, immobilization) of the workforce. No longer, at least for now, do highways and downtown one-ways fill with cars every morning and every evening. Instead of filling offices and cubicles, a lot of America’s workforce now must adapt to working from home. This presents an interesting challenge for many who never thought they would end up working from home or have never worked from home before.
We’ve compiled a list of must-know practices in order to make your work-from-home experience as productive as if you were in the office.
1. Figure out all tech needs.
Technology is the most important contributor to success while working from home. It is essential to set up all tech properly. Is your Wi-Fi set up to support multiple devices at once? Are all your work applications able to function away from the office? Are you able to successfully login to your company’s VPN to access files. Lastly, does your company utilize software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack to connect for meetings? Video/audio meetings are the best way to replace those in-person meetings in the office and keep everyone informed.
2. Over-communicate
Staying connected as a company or as a small team is important for listing priorities, managing projects from afar, and making yourself abundantly clear. Utilize video/audio meetings, recap meetings, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Communicating frequently and making sure communication is clear and concise makes sure nothing of importance falls through the cracks.
3. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others.
A sudden shift to working from home can be disorienting and chaotic at first. It will take a while to adjust to the rhythm of the workday. Take comfort in knowing that many others are making a similar adjustment. Don’t try to do everything at once. Manage expectations by prioritizing tasks by level of importance. Always remain open with your team/company about what you can and can’t get done. Set realistic timelines and stay on task to be sure they are met. Working from home requires more frequent communication as a team.
4. Take breaks.
When in the office, nobody works from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. Working from home should be no different. Over-exerting yourself leads to burn out. Set boundaries for the workday and try to keep a daily rhythm. Break away from your computer during for lunch and take an occasional walk outdoors. Stepping away from your work frees your mind to explore new ideas, faster ways to perform tasks, and can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to finish the tasks at hand.
5. Learn about yourself.
Working from home is as good a time as any to figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Do you work best in complete silence or with music or a podcast? Do you find yourself easily distracted by the need to work around your house? Take this time to find out what circumstances allow you to work at your highest level, and what things need to be avoided in order to maintain productivity. Also, take this opportunity to realize the benefits of working remotely. No morning commute, you’re saving money on gas and food, and no waiting in sluggish lines for coffee! Having a positive outlook on the situation can make a difference in your attitude and productivity.
6. Stay Connected Socially
My company has an all-in video meeting with the entire team every morning so we can see each others’ faces and talk about the challenges of the day. It also gives us a chance to socialize and share our experiences. That helps us stay connected to the human spirit. We ended our first week of working from home with a virtual happy hour! It’s more important than ever to maintain our personal connections through more than impersonal texts and emails.
This is our new normal for now, so we have to adapt. When feeling doubtful, you can rest easy knowing you’re far from the only person going through this, and that you’re still a part of a team. In the end, working from home provides more flexibility than working in an office, so take advantage of this newfound liberty. Take the time to find the most productive work-life balance you can, and rest assured that this too shall pass.
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