Lindsay Kolowich


How to work from home: 5 Tips From People


It's wonderful to work at your home, but it can be frustrating when your cat gets on your computer. And your neighbor, who could be creating a time machine begins to fire up all kinds of power tools as well as loud machinery on the other side of the street.


COVID-19 has caused remote work to be an essential instead of a luxury for many professionals. But which environment allows us to work more efficiently? the home office or an workplace?


Your coworkers are the most dangerous threat in an office setting. They could stop you from doing real work. They might drop at your desk, engage in a conversation with you, or invite you out for lunch. The social benefits are nice to have, but they can become a challenge when you're easily distracted.


While it may be distracting to relatives, it's not difficult to become your enemy at work. Since there are no coworkers it's easy to let go of those pesky inhibitions. In the office at home, no one's watching. There's no need to feel the same peer pressure or communal obligation to get stuff done. You don't even have to wear trousers.


1. Communicate expectations with anyone who will be home with you.
Although you may work at home, you must be "company." It is important to respect the space you have when working. Just because you work at home doesn't mean that you're at home.


If you live in a shared space with another work-from-home adult You may need to lay ground rules about meetings as well as shared tables and chairs, and silence times.


2. Take clear breaks.
Telecommuters are prone to get distracted and avoid taking breaks. It's not a good idea to be ashamed of the work you do in the home that you are sleeping in. Spend five minutes to unwind.


Don't just open YouTube and watch comfort clips. Take breaks from your desk. Take a walk, get some fresh air, or even meet other people who may reside in your home.


Consider Ginny Mino's suggestions. Pauses like making meals and having lunch could help you get back to work. Don't assume you need to work all of the time you're home to be more productive."


3. Interacting with others
If your office begins working from home, you'll likely be missing the informal social interaction with your colleagues that you're used to throughout the day. If you work from home, you don't have the small talk and other activities that make each day at work distinctive.


So what can you do? Communicate.

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Frequent communication with employees can combat loneliness and boredom. Get in touch with them by video chat using apps such as Zoom and/or Slack.

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Remember: You're working from your home, not on the moon. It's okay to have conversations with people around the day, even if they aren't your coworkers. Even if your workday is mostly spent in solitude, it's good to meet other people. You are able to get the most out of your breaks by interacting with other people.

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4. Prepare meals the night prior to.
If you're at home, it can be tempting to spend time preparing an excellent breakfast and lunch for yourself, cutting and cooking included. Cook your food the night before so you don't waste precious time.

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Preparing food ahead of time ensures you can use your meal time to eat, and also ensures that you aren't performing activities that aren't work-related and require time that could be better spent at your desk.

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Lindsay Kolowich (digital marketing strategist) states, "Cooking at the home is time that you would not spend on meal prepping for if you’d been in an office that day, but I have found that the extra time will add up in the end. I try to prepare and cook my meals in the evening prior to the same way I would for a day working.

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5. Pick a definitive finishing time.
It's possible to think that working remotely can create more balance between personal and professional life. However, be aware.


Working from home can also be like a casino -- you can get so caught up in your activities and in a relaxed setting, that you forget the entire track of the time.

 


Tyler Littwin says working from home can make it easier to allow your life to be influenced by your work.

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