6 simple rules for working from home
Back when my wife was doing accounting, I tried to make her job easier – so that she could work from home.
At the time it was a backup option, but it turned out to be very useful, especially at a year-end or approaching some deadline.
My work at the time was also closely related to computers and information. I made it easy on myself too. Mainly for convenience.
I have a huge e-library at home that I want to be available whenever I need it. I also have a server with all the files, programs and documents necessary for my work.
Thus, remote work became not only two-way, but also ubiquitous – I could turn on, turn off and control all the computers in the office and at home from anywhere, including when I was at sea, for example.
Along with the technical complexities, about which anyone could ask me personally, but are not the subject of this article, there are also a few simple organizational rules that significantly increase the efficiency of the work of the so-called. from one of our “home office” sisters-in-law.
It may be unusual for us in most cases, but young people are increasingly working from home and their employers value this as a very positive practice.
Naturally, I exclude professions for which this is impossible.
Here are the rules themselves.
1. Find out in advance with your loved ones at home.
You hardly live alone at home. Children and/or other loved ones are quite common.
They will have a hard time accepting the fact that you are at work after you are at home.
You will find it difficult to refrain from doing household chores that you have been putting off for a long time due to lack of time. Or you will simply lose motivation due to the proximity of the sofa and the TV.
So, warn your loved ones that you are at work and ask them not to disturb you. Warn yourself too. Ban your temptations.
Set working hours. Include short breaks, but really rest and move, not trying to do “at least some of the work you’ve been putting off for a long time.”
2. Define or equip a workspace if you don’t have one.
Working with the laptop from the bed or lying on the couch is the most unsuccessful.
(I should add here that statistically, a very large number of house fires nowadays are caused by a laptop catching fire in the covers of the bed.)
Any other place would be better than this – the student’s desk if at school, the kitchen table, coffee table, even a proper bedside table.
You will definitely need outlets or a power strip. Don’t neglect light and seating. Make yourself comfortable. Ensure correct sitting posture. Load up with the necessary stationery.
3. Make a plan for the working day.
You may not have one in the office. You may rely on your boss or coworkers to “get you on track.” There is no one at home – you will have to organize yourself.
Start with the hardest tasks and leave the easiest for last.
Delegate urgent household tasks to other people who are home and don’t get distracted by them. Remind them that you are at work and should not be disturbed.
Keep the plan in front of you and stick to it.
4. Think about food.
Although you are at home, think about your meal in advance.
Make sure you have everything you need and if you need to prepare anything, do it before you get down to business. Follow your usual diet as when you go to work in the office.
Limit meal times in advance. Don’t give in to the temptation to “stretch your back a little” after eating, since the bed or couch is nearby.
If you have lunch together with your loved ones, keep in mind that they will certainly quickly forget that you are at work.
Therefore, we recommend that you prepare your meals and eat separately when working from home.
Even if you forgot to make a plan for the day, determine the final time for the meal before you start.
5. Vacations
You must determine the time for breaks in advance.
It is recommended that breaks are associated with some short physical activity, especially if you have appropriate accessories at home.
You avoid the sofa, the bed and the TV again.
6. Maintain your discipline and regime as if you were in the office.
Don’t work in your pajamas or even your regular home clothes.
You may not dress the most formally, but keep in mind that clothing motivates.
Your workday at home doesn’t change much due to a change of location, so it’s best to follow the same rituals you had at the office. They will keep you motivated to work efficiently.
Do not neglect either the beginning or the end of the working day and observe them strictly.
In most cases, the only difference between being in the office or at home is the greater convenience of meeting other people. Everything else is the same. It is important that even though you are at home, you are at work.
If you haven’t worked like this before, you might find it difficult at first. This is normal and should not worry you.
I hope these 6 simple rules for working from home will help you make the switch quickly.
And the more curious can also read this article from our partner site: https://www.mindgenius.com/homeworking-homeschooling-in-covid-19-by-brad -egeland/
