Unprecedented times are upon us. The Covid-19 crisis is affecting all of us. In particular, it's forcing many organizations to send their employees home to work remotely. This sounds like an easy thing to do - work from home. But for those of us who have been doing it for years, we know there are some things you need to do and do them quickly. It's all about staying sane while working from home.
Once you have figured out how to access your business data and applications (blogged about this last week here), you now have to put in place a strategy for working from home. It can be challenging but with the right plan in place you can make it work efficiently.
Here's some tips that we have found helpful.
- You need a specific place to work that is not the kitchen table. You need to be able to spread out and not have to keep moving around your work.
- You need a schedule - get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to work, stop for lunch, then close the day.
- It helps to try to mimic what you do every day when you are not at home. Don't eat lunch at your desk. Take breaks. DO NOT ANSWER THE HOME PHONE. You don't do that at work, don't do it at home - unless of course you are using that phone to take business calls.
- Don't snack. You have easy access to food when at home and the kitchen will call you - I can hear mine calling now. Ignore it.
- Move around - you probably go to meetings, meet with other employees, head out to lunch and are moving more than you do at home. Get up and go walk the dog and step outside for some fresh air.
- Ignore the home tasks and chores that are calling out to you to make you feel guilty. You can do them on the weekend just like you do now. Be realistic with opportunities to multitask. (Laundry + work + Child care is a bit much)
- Keep regular working hours - learn to just say no and step away from the keyboard at 5:00PM. This is probably the biggest hurdle I have - knowing when to stop working. Many employers have been afraid that people will not work when they are remote - I have found it's the opposite.
- Don't turn on the TV - it way too big of a distraction. If you need to check news, do it online. I have recently noticed a lot more of my friends are posting on Facebook than usual. Again, this is as bad as the TV - step away. Ignore the little Facebook voice saying "feed me."
- If there are other people at home you have to find a way to tell them you are working. Good luck with this one.
- Remember to take care of yourself during this trying time. Feel comfortable knowing we are all in the same boat. Hang in there - we will get through this, stronger and smarter.
We can help. We know how to get you connected remotely. We know how to work remotely and can help you set up a process to make you productive. Call us today (423)875-2652 or fill out our Contact Us form
Stay safe. We will persevere.