In light of the outbreak of coronavirus, many employers encourage employees to work from home to keep the virus’ spread at bay. Working from home can be nice, but it is also easy to slack off, overwork yourself, or get distracted. We put together some tips that will help those who are new to working remotely stay productive and maintain balance.
Don’t skip your morning routine
While it might be tempting to sleep in and work from bed, following a morning routine will set you up for success when you are working from home. Taking a walk or following along with an online yoga class before you start your day can help you wake up and set intentions for your day.
Get ready as if you were going to work
Take a shower, get dressed and have breakfast. Working from home should not be an excuse to spend all day in pajamas! Staying in your comfy clothes all day can leave you feeling tired and demotivated, so put on a work outfit to get in the right mindset.
Designate a workspace
Find a quiet and uncluttered space and set up your workspace. Minimize distractions as much as you can, such as your tv, pets, and other noise so you can focus on your work. Don’t work from your couch; instead, enjoy your couch at the end of the day to relax.
Make a schedule
Plan ahead and schedule not only your lunch break, but also when you will start and end working. Social cues at the office help us dedicate a time to eat lunch or take a coffee break. When working from home, it is easy to stay glued to your computer screen all day. You should also take time to create a daily to-do list of work tasks to make sure you stay on track and don’t forget any meetings, tasks, or emails to respond to.
Pause the chores during work hours
Just because you work from home does not mean you have to simultaneously do laundry, clean the apartment, and do dishes. Focus on your work tasks during the time you have scheduled and do your chores when you are done for the day.
Treat yourself
Use the time you saved from the lack of a commute to treat yourself to your favorite activities. Watch your favorite tv show, cook your favorite meal, or have a nice game night in.
Need some inspiration for creating a cozy and tasteful workspace for while you are working from home? Click here.
