Even if you have worked from home before, working from home due to COVID-19 might feel like a whole new world. It’s been a sudden move with an extended period of time, coupled with having your kids and possibly spouse at home as well. The tips below were gathered from a few sites to help you be successful at getting your work done and maintaining your well-being.
- Set a Schedule: Try to make a schedule for yourself (and others in the household) and stick to it! Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to play, will allow you to be more productive and create the time you need to get projects done.
- Create a Morning Routine: We all have am routines that we do in order to get to the office in the mornings. Recreate these routines for working from home (you can easily remove the commute!). This can be more powerful than having a clock to help get you started each day. A recommendation is to get dressed every day – wearing pajamas to work is a perk for some, but for most of us it’s a bad strategy that makes us feel and act less productive.
- Keep a Dedicated Office Space: In an ideal world, we would all have a lovely home office that has a beautiful view and door that locks out curious children and pets. However, that is not the reality for everyone. Create a specific workspace, as separate from the rest of your home as possible. Make it comfortable, with good lighting for video calls and the opportunity to ‘leave’ at the end of the day.
- Communicate: If you don’t usually work from home, you might not have all the equipment you need such as a computer, effective wi-fi, a printer, office supplies, a cloud-based donor database, etc. Let your employer know what you need and how they can support you, both in resources and in learning how to work from home. Fully read emails and understand the expectations of clocking in and out. Remember we are all learning together, so plans will change and adapt as needed. As long as you are communicating (through text, phone calls, and emails) you will continue to succeed.
- Socialize: Loneliness, disconnection, and isolation are common problems in remote work life, especially now as we practice social distancing. Find ways to connect with your co-workers through video chat, collaborating on projects, and asking how they are doing with the ‘new normal.’ It’s important to figure out how much interaction you need to feel connected and included and share that with your team.
And remember, the Alexander|Carrillo Consulting team is here for you. If you need a chat or anything at all, give us a call.