With the rapid spread of coronavirus pandemic, several organizations are moving toward mandatory or voluntary work from home policies. It means many people are dealing with a new phenomenon – working from home full time for the first time. Although some people may have done it before this may feel like a whole new world. The coronavirus situation may continue for an extended period of time and is unlikely to wither away in a day or two. No one is sure how long the pandemic will cause hiatus. As far as your company is concerned, in many cases, you will not be permitted to socialize with people outside the work area. Here are some tips for work from home jobs and maintaining your sanity at the same time.
1. Get dressed for work: This may appear like a simple and insignificant tip but it is a critical one. You will be tempted to stay in your pajamas all day but if you give in to the temptation you will find yourself a lot slower to start and less productive as well. There is no need to get into formal clothing. Just the simple act of changing clothes acts as a signal that it is time to wake up and get ready for work. It makes you feel confident and human as it draws a line between being at home and being at work.
2. Designate a workplace for yourself in the home: Most people are used to going to the office every day and there is a physical separation between home and workplace. If you wish to re-create this scenario as much as possible, have a designated workplace at home. If you are living in a small apartment, you may not have the space for a workstation. But, there is no need to have a separate room for this. The place just needs to be separate from the rest of the house as much as possible. Make the place comfortable, as you will be spending approximately 8 hours daily on it. Also, have an area with decent natural lighting.
3. Maintain clear working hours: You need to be clear about the working hours you will be using and the ones that you will not. You will do your best work if you stick to your regular working hours and it will be easier to make the transition back to the office later. If the nature of your work is collaborative, you must be working on the same schedule as your coworkers to make things easier. When you are working from home, you are in charge of the surroundings and there is no need to treat yourself as an employee.
4. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked in by the coronavirus news: When you work from home one of the biggest challenges is distractions especially for those that are not used to handling it. As you are at home all the usual things you do while being at home are now right in front of you. It is only human that this is distracting you. You have to be wary about allowing yourself to get distracted. Coronavirus news is the biggest distraction now. In case you are working remotely due to the coronavirus crisis checking the COVID-19 update will be on your mind. It is important that you stay informed but do not allow yourself to sink into an anxious mess.
Sometimes while working from home you may feel you are unable to cope with the rising pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic. In such cases, professionals such as The TMS Advantage. This company specializes in treating people for anxiety and depression disorders.
Picture Credit: Pexels