1. Stick with your routine
Just because you’re not commuting and going into an office doesn’t mean you should skip your weekday morning routine. Wake up at your normal time, shower, and get dressed in real clothes (not your pajamas!). It may be obvious, but this will set you up mentally and physically for the day ahead.
It’s also useful to keep a set schedule. If you typically work 9-5 hours, then do that at home. It’s easy to lose track of time and before you know if you’re working late into the evening, remember having a good work-life balance is really important.
2. Create a workspace
We know it’s tempting to work straight from your laptop from your bed but is that the place you’re going to be most productive? Working from a desk, like you would do if you were in the office, will help you get in the mindset of work and maintain good posture. It’s also really important to minimize distractions, so working in a room without a television, games console (and children where possible) will help you get more done.
3. Get some fresh air
We’ve all been advised to limit contact with people and many companies are encouraging working from home, you’re likely going to spend a lot of time indoors. Open the windows to let in as much natural daylight and fresh air as possible, and take some short walks if you can – but make sure to wash your hands as soon as you return home.
4. If you have kids or pets, prepare for disruptions.
It’s hard enough to get work done if you have children at home, but even harder with younger kids or pets. However, it is possible if you plan ahead and have some flexibility.
5. Stay connected
If you work on a team, make sure to check in regularly with other members of the team. Create to-do lists to keep yourself on track and organized, and share the status of your lists with your manager so they know you’re on top of your work. Alongside email and messaging programs like What’s App, it’s a good practice to set up regular check-ins via phone or video conferencing like Skype, FaceTime.
