How have you been? If you are reading this, you may be like many employees across the world who have found themselves working from home, which is uncharted territory for many. Today we are going to talk about 5 tips to maximize your work-from-home routine.
We understand the difficulty of transitions and changes and want to help support you in this time of uncertainty, each step of the way. At TRUE, we are all about family and finding ways to support and uplift one another in a time of need.
Today, we are sharing 5 tips to maximize your work-from-home capabilities and help you achieve the highest level of productivity and happiness in what has become the new normal. Let us know how we can support you. We will get through this together!
If you have grown accustomed to working in an office every day, creating a separate home office space is key. While you don’t need a formal office setup, designating a space in your home to work from will allow you to make the transition to working from home remotely.
An extra bedroom, space in your basement, or spare table or desk can all work well. Ensure you have a comfortable chair and an area that will limit distractions, where you can have a decisive ‘end’ to your workday.
Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you should give up your normal routine. Working from home can provide more valuable time to be productive, but following a normal routine is essential to success.
While you may be able to sleep in a little later due to no commute, set your morning alarm to stay on track with your normal routine. Waking up at the same time allows for you to thoroughly prepare for a productive day of work.
Take time in the morning to get ready for the day. While you do not need to put on a full business suit, putting on a new outfit can put you in the work-from-home mindset. Grab your cup of coffee, and get ready to begin your day.
Scheduling breaks is essential to finding balance when working from home. Take a 15-minute walk or schedule time to eat a well-balanced lunch. If you’re feeling disconnected, take your lunch break as an opportunity to video call family, friends, or coworkers.
I’ve found that scheduling a walk during the workday helps me to reset. Movement plays such a big role in staying creative. Changing your scenery by getting outside can be a great inspiration for whatever you’re working on.
At TRUE, we believe taking time to focus on health and wellness should be a top priority. Ensuring you put your health at the forefront will yield positive long-term results.
Exercise should be an important part of your day-to-day, especially when you are working from home. Taking 30 minutes a day to complete an at-home workout can help improve your mood, boost your energy, and provide stress relief from a long day of work.
Spending more time at home helps you avoid the vending machine snacks and tempting fast food options. When working from home, find time to create a balanced meal. No commute to work means more time to explore new food options and cook up a fun recipe. If you enjoy a midday snack, reach for fresh fruit, or a handful of a nutritious snack such as almonds. Be sure to also consume plenty of water throughout the day.
There are plenty of tools to keep you connected including video conferencing. Zoom, GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts, and many others offer video conferencing to help you and your team stay connected. Share important presentations, or have a virtual happy hour at the end of the day – the choice is yours!
There are an abundant number of collaboration tools available to keep you on task and on time with important projects.
Google Drive: File Management and Document and Presentation Collaboration
Basecamp: Project Management and Messaging
Dropbox: Document and Image Storage and Sharing
Working from home can mean extended time with your loved ones. Take the opportunity to join the simple moments that this can bring.
Take at least one or two nights a week to enjoy family dinner. Try a new recipe, or bake up a delicious snack to share.
Take out your favorite board game, or have a fun night of cards. Game nights are the perfect way to spend time together, while still having fun!
Catch up on some the latest movies, or start a new show on Netflix – there’s always something new available to stream!
Spending more time at home means more time with your favorite four legged ‘kids.’ Take your dogs on a morning pre-work stroll or evening jog!
Take some of your evening time at home (or weekends) to learn a new skill or finish something that has been on your ‘to-do’ list for too long. Create a craft or learn a new art skill, work on a home improvement project, try mastering a new language – you’ll be surprised by how much you can achieve.
Working from home can allow you to find more time to tackle your tasks, focus on your health and wellness, and spend quality time with loved ones. We would love to see how you work from home.
1. Get Ready for Your Work Day. 2. Choose a Proper Home office. 3. Install Quality Technology. 4. Maintain consistent Working Hours. 5. Eat & Sleep right. 6. Set a Morning & Evening Routine. 7. Prepare a To-do list/Planner. 8. Exercise regularly.
1. Wake up at the same time. 2. Avoid going online first-thing. 3. Exercise. 4. Shower and get dressed. 5. Have breakfast. 6. House chores. 7. Listen to music or a podcast. 8. Set your goals for the day.
1. Find the right lighting. Add a light fixture or floor lamp to the room to brighten up your home office. 2. Paint the walls a neutral color. Bright white walls can actually make a room dark. 3. Add a houseplant or two. 4. Use mirrors. 5. Install curtains.
1. Modify Your Home Office to Suit Your Needs. 2. Get Everything You Need To Work Comfortably From Home. 3. Maintain a Morning and Evening Routine. 4. Get Ready For Your Work Day.
Wednesday is the optimal Work From Home Day.