Working From Home
Let’s face it. Life as we used to know it is over. As the Corona Virus aka COVID-19 makes its way through civilization we have to adapt to the changes. Businesses are shutting down. City wide curfews are being implemented and grocery store shelves are empty. With quarantines in full effect many of you have found yourselves working from home. Being able to maintain a job at this time is very fortunate. If you are nervous about instantly becoming a work at home employee don’t be. Having worked from home for a major corporation for 10+ years I’ve gained a lot of knowledge. I wanted to share some things that I think can help you transition smoothly. Here are 5 things that you must have in order to jump right in.
Working From Home | 5 Must Haves
High Speed Internet
This is non negotiable. Tons of digital information will be going back between you and your employer. Face to face conference calls and meetings may become a part of your new work day. Your internet needs to be able to handle the data. Depending on who you work for a VPN may need to be set up. Connectivity is key.
Separate Work Space
No matter how small or mobile it has to be having a separate area or space is crucial to success. Creating this space within your home triggers your mind to be in work mode once you get everything set up. Don’t forget to make this space your own. Personalize it.
Defined Work Hours
You will be tempted to work before and after hours once you start working from home. Define your hours with your employer and stick to them. You may think that you are helping your company but you must remember not to rob yourself of crucial family time.
Disciplined Children
If your children are younger train them to understand that you cannot be interrupted during certain times. If they are older tell them the rules and make sure they abide by them. If you have children of multiple ages teach the older kids to look after the younger ones until you can be available. Be creative. Remember that you are all in this together.
Boundaries
When friends and family find out that you are home they will call and/or show up. Let them know that work time is for work, not setting boundaries early on can slow down your workflow.
Focus
Its real easy to become distracted. Unless you have to use your cell phone for business, put it away. Turn off televisions or anything that you will stop you from focusing. This includes household duties and SOCIAL MEDIA. No matter what the distraction is remember that there is a time and place for everything. Stay focused and let nothing distract you.
When this is all over I am hopeful that things will not take long to get back to normal. If working from home works well you might want to continue doing so. Remember if your company can arrange for you to work from home during a pandemic, then they can make those same work from home arrangements when this thing is over. High productivity during these times can be used as a bargaining chip later. so you want to be sure to be productive.
Working from home can be a dream if you have the right tools. I hope these tips help you in your new duties. Together we can make it through. Feel free to pass this information on.
Comments
