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Tips for Working from home
Annabel Barnes • 8 September 2021
Even though restrictions have been lifted, the experience that businesses have had whilst working from home throughout the pandemic has overall been a positive one. Many businesses have reported that their staff are more eager to work additional hours, with no longer having the need to commute, their staff are less stressed than they were before the pandemic hit. Yes, people miss the social interaction but the requirement to be in the office is not as important now that businesses have discovered there are other solutions, which actually work and benefit the business and it’s employees.
The ‘out of the ordinary’ became ‘the norm’ without us even realising it, and we have become accustomed to working at home. I for one have been working from home since before the pandemic. I enjoy the flexibility that working from home brings, not having to contend with rush hour and the dreaded commute, means I have more time to concentrate on my business. Not everyone shares the same opinion as me and I know people have found it difficult to adapt to life working from home.
As many businesses have made this a more permanent fixture in their organisations, I thought I would share some tips with you in case you are finding it difficult.
If you’re like me and have children, you may be looking forward to getting back into the routine of sending the children off to school from under your feet after the summer holidays. The time we faced having to home school is something we really don’t want to repeat, but at least we now know that we can achieve anything we put our minds to, even becoming teachers whilst working from home!
My first tip if you’re a parent is to use the school run to your advantage, form this as part of your routine and as soon as you’re home get stuck into work whilst you have no distractions. If you don’t have the school run to get you up in a morning, ensure you set an alarm, have a shower and get dressed. Having this routine will set you up for the day. Staying in your PJ’s will only encourage your body to stay relaxed which then encourages exhaustion!
Regular breaks away from your desk are essential to stay motivated, even if it’s just getting up and walking around whilst on the phone. It’s difficult to get away from your desk, trust me, I know! But if you can, try to get some fresh air, even if it means a short break in the garden. Fresh air keeps you energised and clears your mind so that you can focus and concentrate better.
If you do have the school run to consider, your day may feel much shorter. Make sure your first job of the day is to set out your to-do list. Prioritise what needs to be done, breaking down each task into steps so they are more manageable. Set goals of what you need to achieve each day and don’t be too ambitious.
If you have tasks to complete which require more concentration then focus on these tasks whilst the kids are at school and turn your phone onto do not disturb, keep distractions to a minimum.
Working from home may give you more flexibility as there are no set hours, this can be an advantage and also a disadvantage. You may feel that there is no rush to complete tasks, but pushing tasks aside will only mean that you will have a bigger workload to contend with in a shorter space of time in the long run. Use the time to your advantage, work flexibly around your commitments whilst managing your workload. You may be tempted to work even longer hours because your laptop is just there looking at you, but it’s important that you get time to unwind. Overworking yourself will lead to burnout which is not good for your health or mental state.
A designated work space is essential for working at home successfully. It encourages you to remain focused so that household distractions and chores are not interfering with your work time. The time you’re at your desk is your time to concentrate on work. It’s also important for your physical health to have the correct chair in the right position at your desk. If you are employed, your employer is still under obligation to comply with Health & Safety regulations and should still be carrying out VDU assessments to ensure that your health is not affected by your work. If not, have the conversation with them to get the support you need.
We have all found the past year or so difficult in various different ways. Work-life and home life for that matter has changed dramatically in a short space of time. The job you are in may not have been a home based position originally and you may not enjoy working from home but there are many people who have lost their jobs during this pandemic. Everyone who has managed to still be in a secure position is very lucky. Times have changed, it’s difficult to comprehend, but we have all learned so much and been tested by these trying times. Let’s focus on our future, things can only get better!
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