If you were not among the large group of office employees who have been allowed or encouraged to work from home and are wondering if it really would be a good idea for you, here are some tips to consider.

Routine

Pretend you are actually commuting to work.  Set the alarm and get up at the same time every morning; shower and dress (although you can probably move to jeans and t-shirts instead of work clothes).  Have breakfast before moving to your work area.

Decide what you will work on that day.  Organize your day to include meetings and appointments and set time to work at your desk.  Use your break time or lunch hour to walk the dog, prep for dinner or throw in a load of laundry.   

While you don't need to chart every minute of the day, don't fall into the trap of co-mingling household tasks with work related matters.  This will make you more productive and give fair time to your employer.  It is also a good idea to give your housemates or children clear guidelines about your work hours. 

Self Care

Schedule and take regular breaks including stepping outside to breathe fresh air, staying hydrated, and eating healthy meals.  Just like you establish a start time in the morning, keep an end time.  At the close of your workday, close the door or throw a sheet over the computer.  Working through the evening or night will only serve to make you more tired and cause errors.  You deserve breaks and your employer deserves you to be in focus for the tasks assigned.

Overcommunicate

Remote working means you can't see your co-workers or staff and can often result in misconstrued actions.  Set regular phone calls or Zoom meetings to be sure everyone is on the same page.  Emails and text won't always give you enough information.  It is also imperative for idea sharing and team maintenance.  Voices and facial expressions will help convey true meanings when the typed word won't.

Drop a quick note to a supervisor or teammate telling them you are breaking for lunch and when you anticipate returning, or if you expect to be on an extended call with a client or customer.

Environment

Make your “home office” as professional as possible.  Eliminate as many distractions as you can, including signage for when you are available to housemates or when you need to focus on job-related tasks. 

If you are an employee, work with your employer to be sure you have the right tools including headphones, an ergonomic chair and proper lighting.  If you are moving into the world of self employment, decide how to do this on a budget. 

Boundaries

Just like in a traditional office, there should be limits around social interactions, personal tasks and phone calls, and family crises. 

Learning to work from home can be tricky or can be a dream come true.  You don't need to be perfect but it can be enjoyable, if it is for you.  If not, don't worry.

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- The Capex Team