How To Successfully Work From Home

With the world adapting to stay-at-home orders due to the Coronavirus, many of us are navigating the new reality of working from home. While some may find this transition smooth, especially if they have previous teleworking experience, others might struggle to establish a productive routine.

Working from home introduces unique challenges that you wouldn’t typically encounter in a corporate environment. From family distractions to the temptation of binge-watching TV shows, staying focused can be difficult. However, as a graphic designer who has worked from home almost exclusively for the past seven years, I have learned some valuable lessons to help make this transition easier. Here are my  tried-and-true tips for successfully working from home.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

Set up a specific area for work. This could be a home office, a corner of your bedroom, or even your kitchen table. Surround yourself with inspiration—perhaps photos from your favorite trips or art that motivates you. Also, consider having a secondary workspace for a change of scenery on nice days, such as your patio, balcony, or sunroom. Think of this as your conference room space.

Keep a Schedule (with Flexibility)

Establish clear office hours, but also take advantage of the flexibility working from home offers. For example, I start my day with tennis, a workout, or a walk with my dog. To balance this, I often eat lunch at my desk. Find what works best for you—whether it’s starting earlier and taking a break in the afternoon or setting specific times for work and personal activities.

Turn on Music or a Podcast

The environment where you work can greatly influence your creativity and productivity. While some tasks require quiet, listening to music or a podcast can enhance your mood and make repetitive tasks more enjoyable. Choose something that suits your current mood, or switch it up daily.

Declutter Your Workspace

A tidy workspace can significantly improve your productivity. My morning routine includes a shower, breakfast, and tidying up my desk. Even organizing one stack of papers or completing a small task can set a positive tone for the day.

Set Limits on Interruptions

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is separating work and home life. Family members often don’t know when you’re in an important meeting. Create a system to signal when you shouldn’t be disturbed, such as a ribbon on your door, a sign made by your children, or a sticky note on your computer.

Move

Encourage yourself to move throughout the day. Don’t keep snacks and drinks at your desk; instead, get up to fetch them. Place your printer across the room and consider not having a recycle bin nearby, so you need to walk to the kitchen to dispose of items. For meetings that don’t require note-taking, try brainstorming while walking outside.

Find Your Switch

Identify what makes you feel focused and ready to work. For some, it might be as simple as closing the office door or dressing in something other than yoga pants. For me, it’s wearing shoes, whether they are flats, tennis shoes, or hard-soled slippers. This small change makes me feel like I’m in the “office” and boosts my productivity.

Communicate

Effective communication is crucial when working remotely. Ensure that you or your manager conducts regular check-ins, either daily or weekly. Utilize video conferencing tools to stay connected. Over-communicate to make sure priorities are clear, and expectations are not only met but exceeded.

Socialize

Don’t limit interactions to just work meetings. Organize after-hours video conferences for a virtual happy hour with coworkers or your professional network. Socializing, even virtually, can be beneficial for your mental health.

By following these tips, you can create a productive and enjoyable work-from-home experience. Wishing you the greatest success in your remote work journey!