Home is where…We all are…
The ability to work from home has been a benefit for many people that has risen in popularity for quite some time now. It offers flexibility for employees to be more productive without the stress of a commute farther than down the stairs. However, while being a nice benefit there are some downsides to the perk if people aren’t used to working in a home environment. To successfully work from home, being accountable to yourself and your employer is important. The disadvantages like lack of social connections and home distractions can weigh you down and lessen a feeling of achievement.
Our current global situation has required companies to pivot from their typical function and allow more employees to work from home. This can be a difficult adjustment to transition to. Never mind the work/life struggle that what once was. In current times, it doesn’t seem as though there is a difference between work and life since everyone is in the same place, sharing every inch and every minute of every day. Here’s some practical tips to get the most out of your time and space.
GET ORGANIZED
One space at a time, not necessarily one room at a time! I’m proud of my organizational skills, but even the best organizer can be put to the test when a space is being invaded by others…I’m talking about spouses, kids, and pets, not aliens! Although some days it kind of feels like we’re on another planet right now. Am I right? This doesn’t mean that you need to build yourself a new office or head to Ikea for all new furniture. It does mean that you should take the time to carve out a space where you can get the job done with minimal distractions. The same goes for your kids if they are learning remotely from home.
I like to work a little flexibility into the mix. With everyone at home there should be multiple areas in your home where someone can set up shop. In a time where we’re all stuck in one spot (home, and please stay there to protect others), it allows you to move around within your safe space. Whether you organize a table, desk, chair, or entire room…have some spaces just for that. Places all ages can take advantage of.
With everyone at home, areas are going to become cluttered and messy. Lower your expectations of having a home that looks like no one lives in it. Allow some disorganization in other areas that may not be a priority. Having designated areas for productivity, and others for clutter will help keep some balance through this time.
MUSIC
Listen to music without words. Put some headphones on so you can focus on emails, projects, and productivity in your unfamiliar space. Try using free versions of services like Spotify. You can search for Yoga or Spa music for something relaxing or with a positive beat to keep you going. If you need to focus and write or say words yourself, listening to news or lyrics can subconsciously derail your train of thought. White noise is also a safe backdrop if you need to drown out any background noise during video or phone conference calls. Something like a fan or an app with nature sounds are good options for white noise.
"The closer you can stay to your regular sleeping schedule, the better off you'll be when things go back to normal, and the more productive you'll be here and now."
SLEEP EFFICIENCY
We have to remember that this phase we’re in currently is only going to be temporary. It too shall pass. I learned about sleep efficiency recently when I began wearing my WHOOP band. Basically, it means going to bed and waking up at the same time every night and morning. Sticking to your "regular" sleeping schedule is one of the best things you can do for yourself right now. Without having to physically be somewhere Monday through Friday it’s easy to stay in bed a little bit longer. It’s also easy to stay up a little bit later. Trust me with this one though, the closer you can stay to your regular sleeping schedule, the better off you’ll be when things go back to normal, and the more productive you'll be in the here and now. Do we know what the new normal will be when this is done? No, but I can say confidently that whether you work from home or the office, “normal business hours” will remain the same. So do yourself a favor and stick to your sleeping schedule as best as you can.
GET DRESSED
Like you would any other day. Keeping routine is important to stay on task. Whether you are working from home, homeschooling your kids, taking care of younger children, or trying to balance all of this at the same time - what you do is important enough to get dressed in the morning. You don’t necessarily have to shower and put make up on. But get yourself ready so that you control the day, it doesn’t control you!
"Set yourself up so you can go from struggling to striving!"
SET BOUNDARIES
Just like kids have rules, setting rules or boundaries while you work from home is a great way to hold yourself accountable. This will be easier to do after a few days of working from home so you can assess where you might be struggling to get stuff done. If you like the idea of doing laundry while at home, only allow yourself to fill and transition loads during certain hours. Silencing your phone for an hour one or two times per day might be what you need to get things done without email or call distractions. Limit what you get bombarded with by social media and the news. There’s a lot of negativity there, and it can be overwhelming. Think about how much you can take without it bringing you down. These are just suggestions - assess and evaluate what boundaries you can set for yourself so you can go from struggling to striving!
KEEP MOVING
Sir Isaac Newton’s first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion at same speed and direction unless otherwise acted upon by an external force. I didn’t quote it exactly but you know the gist of it! Keep moving. Build some time in your day for movement. It doesn’t have to be an all out intense workout. A walk outdoors, some stretching, or strength training can go a long way. If you need some ideas, we have three ground based workouts you can follow along for better mobility. It’s a great way to start and if you’re looking for a short distraction from work, please use this as a tool to stay mobile!
BE FLEXIBLE
Lowering your expectations can have a negative sound to it, so tell yourself to allow flexibility throughout your days and weeks. Progress not perfection is a common theme with any individual or any business we work with. Life as we know it is changing by the second right now. You may need to pivot and readjust what your plan was in a short amount of time. Don’t beat yourself up if you get distracted. Allow the flexibility so you can continue with forward progress, even if it’s at a slower rate than originally expected.
COMMUNICATE
Social distancing doesn’t mean emotional distancing. Talk to your family, spouse, partner, friends. Write down your feelings if you think things are starting to be overwhelming. Communicate with your boss and be open. They can’t help you if you don’t communicate what is difficult. With more remote employees, many are facing challenges that are new. Give your boss the opportunity to help you succeed in this new environment.
*For managers - Check in 1-on-1 with your team as frequently as possible to ensure people feel appreciated and included. Have a pop up meeting (with video if possible) to discuss anything not work-related. You can obviously finish a call with a reminder there is work to be done. But the call is a reminder of how important the social interaction remains to get through this. Your employees will remember how they are treated during times like this, and a feeling of inclusion will go a long way.
*We’re suggesting to the business leaders we work with instituting a “Buddy System.” Let those working from home have a buddy also working remotely, or someone in the office. People need to feel connected and having someone you can trust to talk about one work topic and one not-work topic will help to keep morale high.
If you are a healthcare worker, first let me say thank you. Thank YOU! You cannot stay home, but it’s important to your health that you also have a safe space within your home to regroup, relax, and hit the internal reset button. You too deserve this chair, couch, table, etc. where you can put on headphones and listen to music to calm your inner self. Together, we will come out of this stronger than before. Patience with ourselves and others plus a little positivity will go a long way.
Stay Safe, Be Well,
Karen
Just launched! The NE360Fitness Mind + Body Stimulus Package! If you're a leader of a business or school and would like to find a way to maintain or grow a positive culture during this time, please contact us.