Here are some ideas to help you be more successful in working or learning (or – TEACHING – from home)
Doesn’t have to be perfect office like set up | Just make sure you are comfortable and have what you need close by
Right now, we have one office and my husband needs it for meeting online with clients and his work team
My set up in our room, kitchen 9 table, etc.
Don’t dress up if you don’t want to, but at least get dressed and brush your teeth!Set alarms on your phone to get up and move around
A lot of people are more comfortable at home. While you are able, drop and do push-ups, jump on an exercise bike in the middle of the day, take a lap around the house, run some stairsPrep meals the night before.
Decide what you are going to eat, just like you were packing a lunch, so you don’t snack and so you eat more healthful.
If your kids are currently homeschooling, have them pack their school lunch, too!
When are you starting?
When are you done?The pros and cons of working and learning from home:
First the good news - Pros:
No commute! Save money and time
A little more flexibility. Though you may be required to be available or online during certain hours, often those who work from home can choose what their day looks like
No distractions from co-workers (kids are another story....) I know when I am working from my office, I am often interrupted multiple times a day. Even if only 5 people interrupt your workflow for 10 minutes each, that’s an hour you have lost of precious productivity time.
Isolation/loneliness – extroverts need people. Period.
Communication – Consistent and effective communication with colleagues and managers is often cited as the most difficult problem to overcome.
Too much autonomy – when you work separate from your colleagues, without discipline AND a plan, it can be easy to get off track.I combine time blocking with what I call Theme Scheduling. Theme Scheduling means each day of the week has a specific theme that corresponds with your work duties.
First – Look at your current schedule Do you have reoccurring meetings, appointments, kids activities each week? Schedule them first. Start to notice the patterns already showing up in your week.
Second - Look where you can bundle like items together. For example: Start scheduling all flexible meetings only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Use meeting days to return phone calls as well.
Third – Plan your upcoming week. Choose your themes for each day then start planning your projects and tasks.
It helps balance your urgent and important tasks.
Forces you to make a commitment to your priorities.
It promotes deep work while combating procrastination. You lose the words “I’ll do that later”
Assists you in understanding how you are really spending your time so you aren’t over- or underestimating how long it will take to complete a task.
It allows you to say “no” without feeling guilty since you know when you’re available and when you’re not.Remember – you can use this method for your job, if you are a university or college student, for your kids, for a cleaning schedule, even for your meal planning.