Working from home can be challenging if you’re new to it or if there are a lot of distractions in your home, especially, when there are other people there too. Whether it is a roommate, a spouse or children who are normally in school, it can be difficult to focus on what you need to be doing.
Even if there isn’t anyone else in the home or possibly, you have a separate room you can retire to, the distractions of being in the same space that you live and work can be tricky. You want and probably, need to be productive and you’ve got to eliminate or ignore the distractions that prevent this.
Consider the following suggestions:
- Identify the space … make it dedicated, if possible
- Proper furniture … desk, chair, light, monitor, high-speed Internet
- Plan the night before of what you want to accomplish today
- Establish a routine and stick to it
- Determine your hours and don’t be distracted
- Get up at least an hour before you start working
- Get dressed like you’re going to work
- Don’t multitask chores at home
- Don’t work with the TV on but low volume music is okay
- Take lunch and other short breaks during the day
- Communicate with your colleagues throughout the day
- Don’t take your work “home”
- Turn off your email and instant messaging
- relax and socialize with family and friends
- call friends and family and reaffirm each other
- Use Facetime or Zoom to feel better connected
- Eat right, exercise and get fresh air without breaking protocols
