These days, work and home seamlessly blend and work well together. And even though we cherish the opportunity to spend more time with our family, it’s challenging to get any job done. The distinction between working from home and working at home is getting harder and harder to distinguish. That said, it gets difficult to fully concentrate on work.
If you are one of those who can quickly zone in and focus on what’s in front of you, more power to you. And for those who are quite the opposite, a few changes have to be made to adapt to the life of remote employees.
Establish a consistent workday
Just because you’re working at home doesn’t mean that you should work anytime you want. If you do, the lines between work and home blur together, which ultimately leads to the inability to commit and enjoy life fully. It is common for remote employees to clock in longer hours compared to before.
Honestly, the pandemic workday has obliterated the work-life balance. That’s why it is essential to take control of your time. That means you don’t have to follow an ultra-strict and rigid schedule to get things done; a bit of flexibility is expected. The most important routine to set is what time your workday begins and what time it ends.
It will be hard to work on-demand at first, and you may notice your productivity suffer. Still, it is for that reason why it’s essential to stick to your commitment. Discipline is the best virtue to practice to adapt to this new setting.
And please, take and enjoy your breaks. You deserve it.
Business as usual
Think back to a year ago: remember your morning routine? Preparing and eating a healthy breakfast, applying make-up to match your sophisticated yet professional corporate attire, then a sip of your favorite latte readying yourself for the day.
But know this, there’s no reason for you to lose the routine of taking a bath at least once every day. In fact, now is the best time to embrace it as doing so establishes normalcy.
A great way to focus on working at home is to know how to enjoy your free time. If you had any fitness ventures before, find a way to adapt them at home. There are many online resources for full-body exercises that don’t require much space or expensive equipment. If you regularly ate at restaurants with loved ones, try ordering food from new places or learn a new and healthy recipe for your family to enjoy. Maintain a healthy structure of activities for you to follow. Day-to-day responsibilities and work are vital, but so is self-care.
Set boundaries
Suppose you have other people living with you at home, your parents, kids, partners, or even pets. In that case, personal space is needed for your concentration and focus.
Since you’re sharing space and can’t help bumping into each other during the day, you have to set boundaries. Reiterate to them that you shouldn’t be disturbed during your dedicated work hours unless it’s an emergency. If you crave their company during breaks, tell them. If you prefer to unwind alone, communicate that as well.
If possible, try to impart this philosophy to them, too. Coordinate your work and study hours so that you all end simultaneously, therefore creating opportunities to bond.
Create a dedicated working space
If you’re lucky to have a spare room, don’t waste it for storage. Consider transforming it into a dedicated working space. Make sure the area is clean and healthy; hire a professional pest exterminator to ensure that no pests stay in your house, especially your workspace. Protecting your family from the virus outside is just as crucial as protecting them from what might be lurking inside.
Having your own space at home can help keep your creative juices flowing. It’s a physical manifestation of where work should be done and where work should stay.
These are tips you can fig personally helpful, but you have to figure out what works for you at the end of the day. As long as you are getting your work done efficiently and cultivate a healthy work-life balance, keep doing what you’re doing.
