Ten top tips for working from home in today’s unprecedented times

Ten top tips for working from home in today’s unprecedented times:

• Find a place in the home which can be a proper working environment, so you can focus on business, without distractions. Try to ensure you have a comfortable environment with space where you can work peacefully.
• If you don’t have a lot of space at your home, how do you set boundaries so your family will know when it is OK to interrupt you from your work. Let’s face it our families are why we are working in the first place; how can you get that balance right?
• Be disciplined. If you are working at home for the first time, try to stick to your normal working hours where practical. Form a working routine which works for you, your company and the family, and try to stick to it where possible.
• Work attire – dress as though you’re spending a day in the office. As well as putting you in a work mindset, you never know when a team member or client is going to suggest a video call!
• (Virtual) social interaction – don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to have conversations with people. WFH on your own can be lonely, so where possible maintain communication with the outside world that’s not based on an email conversation.
• Make sure you get out of the house in the morning or at lunchtime for fresh air. Not only can it be an opportunity to get some exercise, but it can also be a good opportunity to reflect and feel inspired.
• Take breaks. Equally, ensure you’re taking enough breaks away from your computer screen and workspace throughout the day, even if it’s just to make a cup of tea.
• Mental wellbeing – be positive & don’t be hard on yourself. It can be challenging for certain people who thrive off social interaction and recognition to work remotely all of a sudden so figure out what suits you best.
• Allow yourself to switch off at the end of the day – working in the same environment where you live can result in an inability to switch off. When working in an office you can often use your commute to offload from the day, which is removed in a home working set-up. Whilst shutting down your computer in an evening, make sure you’re also allowing yourself to mentally switch off.
• Find an enjoyable non-work-related hobby. Whilst our social interactions are being limited, is there a skill or a hobby that you’ve been meaning to try outside of work that you never thought you would get around to? Or is there a boxset you’ve been recommended to watch?

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