Working from home can be a blessing or a curse. Your home life, availability of technology, or even your daily routine can have a huge impact on the transition from working in an office space to working in the same place you’re used to escaping to after work! Today, I am going to share some tips for working from home that can hopefully put your life at ease.
1. Designate a Work Space
Decide where you want to work, and prepare that space for your success. You don’t have to exile yourself to one corner of the house for the entirety of your work-from-home experience, but consistency can be comforting for a lot of people and it will allow you to focus on your work. Choose somewhere that has most of you need. Think of things such as natural light, wifi, electrical outlets, a quiet atmosphere, support for your back and forearms, a flat surface to write or draw, and even the ability to keep an eye on the rest of your home.
2. Every Day is Bring Your Child to Work Day
Speaking of keeping an eye on your home, whether you have furry babies, children, or younger siblings in the house with you, every day has become “bring your child to work day.” You probably can’t avoid this, so communication is key! Communicate to your work that you are providing both childcare and completing the job. Be realistic about any challenges that may arise. Are you home alone and need your baby close or in your arms during a work call? Let your supervisor know. Have a family member or roommate who can entertain and keep your pets safe while you finish a project? Ask for that favor, and be sure to return it when you can! Do you have older children or siblings who love that you’re home all the time and really want to play? Explain to them, as best you can, that you are still at work, and that you can’t wait to finish so you can play.
3. Be Present But, Be Aware of Your Presence
If you have other people, or animals, in your home you know how distracting they can be, as much as we love them. When in video conference calls remember to be present in the call, but be aware of the background noise or visuals you may be adding to the call. A good rule of thumb is that if you are not speaking leave your mic off. The traffic sounds, tweeting birds, laughing children, beeping oven timers, and even just your own breathing into the mic all add up when everyone in the call is contributing with their own sounds. Also remember that if your video is on, facial expressions can go a long way! Don’t be afraid to contribute, and do your best to help others feel heard as well.
4. Get Comfortable with the Dress Code
Depending on the nature of the work you are completing in your home, what you wear may be very different from what you are used to wearing at the office, or very different from what you are used to wearing at home. If you are participating in video conference calls, do what you did when you first got the job. Observe what others are wearing and ask for specific requirements or preferences of your supervisor.
Depending on your office culture and the presence, or lack thereof, of clients or guests in meetings, your office may allow and even encourage that you wear something comfortable. On the other hand, some may request that you wear exactly what you would wear if you were showing up to work in person. Even if no one can see you, remember to consider your own preferences and work tendencies. If you know that when you wear pajamas that it’s “fall asleep watching a movie time,” then do yourself a favor and put on something you feel productive in. You know what will work best for you.
Remember nothing is forever, and you are not alone. Look to the future, ask for help, and support each other!