Quick Tips for Working from Home

As someone who has worked from home (many years before this pandemic hit us), I'm kinda excited that most people are getting the opportunity to have the same experience. (Let's stay positive, people.) I thought I'd share some tips on how to go about working remotely.

• Have a schedule with a start and end time for work. Chalk up a to do list with timings on when you're going to do which task. Also, don't forget to pencil in a lunch break and 15-minute tea break. Don't discuss work in your breaks if you're going to talk to co-workers during this time.
• Put on some business casual clothes and be well groomed. This helps make the mental switch to work mode easy and conveys to family members that your work is important to you and they must respect that. 
• Consider taking breaks using the Pomodoro technique i.e. work for 25-minute intervals and take 5-minute breaks to do something non-work related.
• Listen to instrumental music while you work. Anything with lyrics will just distract you and doing this can even be dangerous. Imagine the disastrous effects typing the lyrics in your important write-up would have.
• Ensure that you have a space segregated as your workspace while working from home. I have heard working from your bed is counter-productive, but frankly, if you have no other place you can work from, your bed will do. Armed with the willpower to work and an appropriate laptop table (to avoid discomfort while working) you can do this.
• Keep everything you need nearby while you work. This usually includes your phone, a pen, a notebook and a bottle of water.

My workspace setup

• Be in touch with your team members. If you lose internet connectivity/face another issue for a good amount of time communicate this to a member of your team, who will most likely be one of your team leads. They can then take a call on what should be done next.
• If possible and time allows it, alternate between personal tasks, work tasks and breaks.
• Take a power nap if you feel lethargic but make sure it's not more than 15 minutes. Otherwise you'll wake up feeling grumpy instead of rested.
• Let your family know that you can't be disturbed from the start time to end time of your work day. Explain to them how important it is that you focus during these work hours. Put on your headphones and work if they still resist.
• Similarly, let your work mates know that they cannot reach you after or before work hours.
• Shut down your laptop when you're done for the day, if possible. This helps you shift out of work mode and makes you feel relaxed. You don't want to be burned out, so this is important.
• Finally, it's okay to feel demotivated and less productive working from home. You're not alone. Be kind to yourself when you feel such emotions.