Working from home under normal circumstances comes with its challenges. Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, when you’re surrounded by partners and/or children, brings the challenges up to a whole new level – even for a Productivity Specialist!
Here are some tips to help maintain your productivity, and your sanity. Note: all these suggestions come with the unstated caveat – “as much as possible”.
- Find a quiet place to work and try to make it a separate place from where the rest of your life happens. (Try not to work in the kitchen if food is a temptation!)
- Have all the supplies you need in your working space, so you don’t need to go to another room when you need a pen, charger, etc.
- Create a structured schedule for your days, including regular start and end times, and stick to it.
- Prioritize each day’s tasks and keep the list short and realistic (i.e. 2-3 items).
- Be flexible and patient. Customize your work schedule around your new lifestyle.
- Maintain your normal daily routine – sleep, eat, shower, etc.
- Set expectations to minimize interruptions. Let others know when you’re working and unavailable – even if you are still visible to them. Say “No” to protect your time.
- Use the time you gain by not commuting to get some precious extra sleep, or get a head start on the workday before other members of your household get up.
- Take advantage of the benefits of working from home. Do a load of laundry and use the timer as a reminder to take breaks. Go outside for a ‘green break’. Go for a walk or quick bike ride on your normal lunch break. Listen to music that brings you joy and helps make you more productive and focused (baroque music helps me focus).
- Review and reset your schedule every week. This weekly review will help keep you on track and give you a greater sense of control over your work life.
Above all, give yourself and others some grace during this challenging coronavirus pandemic. This is a great time to practice the expression “Good enough is good enough”.
Please share what you’re doing to stay productive while working from home in the comment section below.
