We both have experience with working from home as Brit WFH on and off for 4 years in NYC and Charlotte before becoming a SAHM and Andi has been WFH since October 2018. Andi’s husband also works from home (and yes- still happily married 😂) so he contributed to some of these tips as well! Working from home can be a transition for many people. Add having your spouse around and children out of school on top of it and it can become very overwhelming. Here are some of the top tips we have for keeping your productivity, creativity, and sanity during this trying time.
- Create a space. This can be an actual “home office” removed from the chaos and distraction in the basement/a bedroom or on your couch. Did you know some people focus better when there are outside distractions? Know yourself and how best you work.
- Continue your structure & routine. Continue to wake up at the same time and work out at home if that is what you are used to. Break and take lunch during your typical meal windows.
- Change your clothes. No this doesn’t mean you have to get up and put on your usual “business casual” or whatever you are used to. This can mean just changing from your nighttime cozies to your daytime cozies.
- Schedule time to move, stretch, hydrate. I found that if I actually put these reminders in my calendar I’d do them. That also prevents you from over scheduling meetings.
- Interact with co-workers. If your company has a messenger application like Slack, use it to communicate, and communicate often, with your colleagues.
- Get out if you can. Take the dog for a walk or go grab the mail. Fresh air is always a mood booster.
- Turn it off. Yes, actually turn it off when it’s time to turn it off. It’s so easy to never stop working when you’re in the same environment. If you’re off at 5pm, shut it down.
XOXO, A&B