Dear Diane,
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all of my friends and I have found ourselves working from home – some in closets and I’m in my front guest bedroom between a small bed and an old crib. For most of us, this is unchartered territory and we are not sure how to navigate the idea of professionalism when we have children wanting cereal and crying for more attention in the background. I saw you recently wrote something about it on your blog and a group of us are hoping you have even more tips to share. Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Michelle D.
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your confidence. I, too, am experiencing a new norm; working from home is truly the reality right now. There are definitely challenges and also achievements to be had with this experience. I covered this topic in a recent blog but I continue to receive requests like yours for more support during this challenging time. Here are a few more of my tips to keep you motivated and working successfully from your own home.
Set Your Alarm
Get up at the same time each day as if you are going to the office. This means you should keep regular hours. Avoid the urge to stay up hours past your regular weekly bedtime or indulge in a few extra cocktails because you know you don’t have to drive home or get up to go to the office. Keeping a regular routine will keep you on track throughout the week.
Start Your Day Off Right
Eat breakfast or jump on your exercise bike. If you have weights or bands or follow an exercise regimen at home regularly, continue with the norm. If you are used to going to the gym, take a brisk walk or run, or go out into your backyard and jump rope. Just make sure to dress for the weather and wear reflective clothing if you are out in the early morning hours.
Know Your Optimum Hours
Be aware of when you do your best work. I am a morning girl so I like to get a jump on my day by 9:00 am. Think about what you would be doing if you were working from the office. Take a break, get up and stretch, make your calls, do whatever you would regularly be doing with a normal routine. Prioritize your work schedule for the most important tasks to get achieved at your peak hours.
Make Space
Carve out a place you can work without distractions. It doesn’t have to be fancy or formal, but keep it clean and stocked with the supplies you need to get your job done. Eliminate unnecessary distractions such as a television or a couch where you may tend to want to take a quick nap. Make sure you have good lighting and a charging station for your phone and laptop.
Make People Aware
Most people are working from home by now so letting people know you may have a child running around in the background or a barking dog that may get excited during your call is perfectly acceptable. People are all in the same situation and will completely understand. It’s hard for a young child to comprehend their mommy or daddy is not available to play when they are looking at them with their own little eager eyes. You may end up having to take a call with a toddler in your lap or a cat purring at your feet. Remember, you are doing the best you can.
Dress for Success
Please get out of your pajamas. There is something about getting dressed for the day that puts you in a more productive frame of mind. Sitting around in the same clothes you slept in does not motivate you to conquer your day. Your self-esteem will benefit from a shower and a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Get Social
Make time in your remote workday to communicate with friends and family. Part of the value of working at an office is the social interaction you receive with your peers. Our work friends are essential to our overall well-being and shutting yourself off will potentially lead to a feeling of depression and isolation when you have become accustomed to chatting at the water cooler or sharing a story over a cup of coffee. Don’t hesitate to make a quick call or send an email to bounce an idea off a colleague or ask how they are doing.
Do Your Best
You may suddenly have had to become familiar with Zoom or Slack, even though you have never been tech-savvy. Use this as an opportunity to fail up. You can learn by trying and consider it a chance to grow your skills and feel proud of yourself for your professional growth. We are all in this together and finding our new normal can be both exciting and fun. We will conquer this challenge!
