By Jason Eisenberg
Community Program Manager for Office Depot
In order to slow the spread of Covid-19, more and more businesses have encouraged employees to work from home if their position allows for it. Currently there is an influx of remote workers confined to their home office – or what will become their home office – and studies from Global Workspace Analytics estimates, “we will see 25-30% of the workforce working at home one or more days a week within the next two years.” But the transition is not as easy as some would think – managers and owners are worried productivity will slip, the distractions of kids/pets/spouses/roommates/etc. are new to your daily work life, you may not have the same equipment you’re used to in the office, and let’s face it – it’s up to you to hold yourself accountable in a time where distractions are bountiful.
Before the coronavirus emerged, one of the most common pieces of advice for productivity while working remote was to work in public spaces like coffee shops. By just being in a productive and lively environment you could find the motivation to power through your work. Well, we can’t do that at this time, so it is up to you to create a workspace environment that can help you stay productive at home.
The Workspace – removing distractions
Let’s mention the elephant in the room first. The idea that working from home is enviable is not a new one. If you’ve worked from home, you may have heard the all-to-common joke of how nice it must be to work in your pajamas, on your bed. But for many people, it can difficult to reach the levels of productivity to merit working from home. You need to dedicate a space in your home where you will only do work – ideally an extra room – but if that’s not doable there are ways to get creative in small spaces.
At the minimum, you will need:
Your desk doesn’t have to match the specifications in your actual office, but it needs to be able to accommodate your workload while your chair needs to be something you can sit on for long periods of time.
These are the basics – below we go over how to make this your productive space.
By setting aside a space solely for work, you can create a bubble between you and all the distractions you have little to no control over, which includes but isn’t limited to kids, spouses, the dog, the news or what might be leftover to eat in the refrigerator.
The Equipment – mitigating frustrations
One of the first pain points we saw with employees working from home for the first time was, “I can’t do all of this on just one screen…” Sound familiar? Before I picked up my second monitor, I was using my living room TV, which wasn’t great for my neck. Most likely you will not have the same amenities at home as you would at the office, so it is important to keep that in mind when it comes to your upcoming tasks.
The Routine – staying on task/mindset
Above all, you must have the right mindset when working from home. The furniture, the home office, the equipment, the tech – all of it is to get you into your productive zone and keep you there until you’re finished with your work.
This is not to be mistaken with working 10+ hours straight in your home office. Here is a checklist I use to make sure I get everything I need done every day. Use it, modify it based on your personality and let us know how it goes!
- Checklist or daily calendar the night before! I need a checklist of tasks to both keep me on track and to get that rewarding feeling of crossing something off when I have no one to receive kudos from (except my dog when I feed her).
- Create a routine like you are going to an office. Wake up, get some exercise, shower, put on clothes, make a cup of coffee or tea. The idea is to get yourself geared up for a day at work, not a day at home.
- Get started early – Some people get right to work at 6am and take a break to walk the dog or do something relaxing at about 9am. This may not be for everyone so it’s important to know when you’re at your most productive. For some, it’s the am.
- Communicate your expectations with those you live with – like asking your dog to keep the barking to a minimum during your conference calls. In all seriousness, communicating with your kids, roommates and/or spouses can really help them know that you cannot be distracted during certain periods of the day.
- Actually plan your breaks – like even in your checklist. If you don’t, you might find yourself in a position where you just worked from 7am to 6pm and didn’t even realize you haven’t eaten yet. Use your phone timer or better yet, use your daily chores as instances where you need to get up from your chair and move around.
- Social media is a dangerous distraction right now. Whether it’s a meme rabbit hole or the news, there’s a time and place for those and it shouldn’t be during work. A trick shared by Fast Company is to sign off all of your social accounts and remove all shortcuts from your browser/phone. It’s a big move, but desperate times call for desperate measures…
Share with us what your work from home routine looks like and how it helps you tackle the day. If you are a business owner and have questions about work from home or just want some insight as to how others are navigating the pandemic, check out How to Help Your Business During a Pandemic.
References and Resources:
How’s That Work from Home Workspace Working Out for You?
Tech Tips to Get the Most Our of Working from Home
How to Prepare Your Business to Work from Home
How to Work from Home: 20 Tips from People Who Do It Successfully
About the Author
Jason Eisenberg is the Community Program Manager for Office Depot, specializing in small business and entrepreneurship. Based in one of the most exciting cities for startups — Austin, TX — Jason is plugged into the business community, often connecting with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategists to help identify and find solutions to common pain points all business owners share.
All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.