Just two weeks ago, a list of some of my biggest stressors would have included potentially hitting traffic on the way to work, finding time to make it to yoga class or deciding whether to make dinner or go out to eat. Now, with a global pandemic on the loose, I can say all of those “issues” seem pretty trivial. Amid social distancing measures, we have all faced drastic changes to our daily lives in order to do our part in the prevention of spreading COVID-19. In particular, a major change many of us have faced is working from home. While an estimated 5.2% of Americans work from home regularly, the rest of us had to play a little catch up when it came to adapting to our new norm…and we had to do it fast. From our office Skype chats to your web browser, we’ve put our brains together to strategize some of the best ways to stay productive and navigate remote work life.
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Get cozy! You might be here a while…
It is uncertain when life will go back to normal for most of us so, make an office space for yourself at home and stick to it. Whether it be your kitchen table or desk, find a spot that you feel most productive and don’t be afraid to make it your own. Light a candle. Play some background music. Use your countertop as a makeshift standing desk. Whatever it takes to keep you going throughout the day!
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Get into a routine.
There is no doubt our homes contain a million distractions. From everyday chores to significant others pulling your attention, it can be really hard to focus. That’s why it is more important now than ever before to treat your new remote life as if you were still on-site at work. Stick to a routine by getting dressed and carving out uninterrupted work time. On the other hand, make sure your routine includes time for you to get some fresh air and unplug at the end of the day. These little daily ‘wins’ will keep you productive and, most importantly, sane.
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Crank Up Communication.
Going from seeing your colleagues daily to virtually chatting can be a major adjustment in your line of communication and can leave a lot of room for misunderstanding. Make an effort to over-communicate with your peers and be present throughout the day. It can be as simple as broadening your channels of communication beyond email and phone calls to potentially FaceTiming to talk something through. Make yourself available and you are guaranteed to feel secure and connected to your office.
