Thriving While Working from Home

 In Blog

Back at the office when we fantasized about working from home, images of sleeping in late, lounging in cozy clothes, and avoiding the commute and inclement weather came to mind. But now that working from home is our reality, how do we set up ourselves and our company to thrive? You, your tools, your environment and your time can be configured for success. It just requires planning, structure, and discipline. With a little guidance and practice, even the most reluctant of us can adapt and thrive while working from home.

10 tips to help everyone work their best life…from home:

  1. Find your place…where do you want to work? What space will be most conducive to optimizing your time and workflow? Whether it be the makeshift desk or workstation, try not to make it near a bed or a TV so that your “productivity zone” emulates that of a more familiar productive environment.
  2. Plan for potential distractions and resolve. If necessary and as possible, plan any childcare and children’s activities in advance, schedule partner or caregiver swaps, and maintain your separate distraction-free workspace to maximize your concentration and output.
  3. Get organized. Gather everything you will need and bring it into your workspace. This includes technology, files, papers, snacks, coffee, water etc. Less is more, but ensure you feel comfortable and supported for success.
  4. Define your boundaries. Create your ideal work schedule for the week. Calendar it. Break each day into focus periods, meetings, and breaks; with personal time before and after core work hours.
  5. Review, set and revise your priorities. Each night think about your “Focus 5″- your top priorities- for the following day. Write them out, say them out loud, then relax. Each morning, review and update and relax. Whether it’s producing a proposal, generating invoices, replying to emails, planning to meditate or workout, write it out, then relax…and begin.
  6. Set it, but don’t forget it. Maintain your schedule! Ritualize it. Routine, routine, routine. Continue to wake up at the same time, start at the same time, and plan on finishing at the same time to ensure you make the most out of your work from home day.
  7. Set alarms without being alarmed. Set timers for focused periods of productivity. Work to the clock. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish by focusing and working to the clock. As possible, limit the number of times you check emails and social media. While it’s important to remain aware and stay connected, spending too much time on e-communications will greatly undermine your efforts.
  8. Bookend your day with personal tasks. Make sure that you are focused on the priorities at hand during your core work hours. While it may feel easy enough to start that load of laundry, have lunch with your mother, or do that favor for your neighbor…these distractions can take on lives of their own and undermine your momentum. Be cautious.
  9. Maintain your health. Working from home often contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, not to mention a closer proximity to the refrigerator. Take alertness breaks, stretch, walk, or do some basic chair exercises. Eat and snack healthy and be sure to stay hydrated.
  10. Be patient and compassionate. If you are collaborating with others also working from home, be compassionate, practice patience, and negotiate for your needs. You may feel others are not responding to emails quickly enough, or are seemingly distracted while on conference calls, or taking longer than usual to finalize projects. You don’t know where they are in the process of mastering working from home, nor always what is exactly on their plate. So, as best you can, provide a space of support and compassion and be productive together.

 

By conscientiously implementing these 10 tips, anyone and all of us can not only survive, but thrive while working and collaborating from home!

“Never miss an opportunity to do something better each day. Success is the sum of many small daily triumphs that accumulate like gold in the rivers of our lives.”

If you think your team, technology, tools or processes could be better configured to help you and your company thrive, communicate your ideas to your team and leadership.

If you or your leadership needs additional support, please let KMG know. (Click here to share your needs or Learn More)