With social distancing becoming the new norm, many people are getting used to the idea of working from home. However, working from home is nothing new for the Thrive Creative Consulting team. I'm sharing some of our best tips for those who are adjusting to the "new normal" (at least for now!) of working from home in light of COVID-19.
1. Establish a designated work space.
Personally, I work from our home office, but I realize not everyone has that luxury of space. In that case, I suggest sitting at a hard surface, like your dining room table or kitchen counter, where you have plenty of room to spread out. Ideally, find a spot with a window nearby. You’d be amazed at the difference a little natural light can make!
2. Wear what makes you feel comfortable AND productive.
Get ready to whatever extent makes you feel confident, yet comfortable. Most days you’ll find me at my desk dressed in comfy jeans, wearing minimal makeup. I’ll get more “dressed up” if I have a video call during the workday.
3. Plan out your tasks for the week (and then each day) in order to stay on track.
The Thrive Creative team uses Asana project management software to manage to-dos and track assignments.
Each morning I look at my list for the week and decide the top 3 things that MUST get done that day. These top 3 tasks are what I must prioritize to move the needle forward for client projects and feel good about my workday once it’s over.
4. Schedule breaks throughout the day.
If I’m being honest, I’m fairly bad at this, and can easily find myself working through lunch if I’m on a roll. Here are a few ideas for small ways to break up your work from home day:
Plan to tackle a few errands during your lunch break or take a walk outside to get out of the house.
Actually take a lunch break, and eat it outside if the weather is nice.
Put on an upbeat song and have a 60-second solo dance party to get re-energized.
Treat yourself to an afternoon coffee.
Take a quick walk and listen to a podcast.
5. Designate “office hours” and set boundaries for yourself.
When you work from home, it’s easy to burn out. Put your laptop out of sight or walk away from your designated workspace when you’re done working for the day. Doing an activity like cooking dinner or taking the dog on a walk helps signal to your brain that the workday is over and it’s time to relax .
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When it comes down to it, give yourself grace. It’s going to take time to adjust, especially if you’re also trying to teach and entertain your kiddos.
Do you have questions? Feel free to reach out via Instagram or email me at msim@thrivecreativeconsulting.com.
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