My Top 10 "Work From Home" tips - in no particular order
Hey all - hope this helps while you're navigating your new normal. I keep seeing "This Too Shall Pass". I'm sticking with that. Here goes:
As a veteran "WFH-er" (2008), I'd like to offer some tips for the newbies to make this temporary situation a little easier:
1. If you can't be kind, be patient. Everyone is dealing with work & family situations you likely don't know. I've learned to listen more, talk less, especially while standing in line.
2. BE GRATEFUL YOU STILL HAVE A JOB. Many hourly workers were just told they won't get a check for weeks, especially restaurant workers. If you can, make a sizable gratuity when picking up food or when delivery people bring food to your door.
3. Shape your WFH day like your office day. Self-discipline takes time, especially when you're not at a long table with chatty coworkers, big screens and a sea of headphones. If you need a timekeeper for billing reasons, there are software options like Harvest.
4. Help where/when you can. This applies to work and home life. You can virtually "step up" and take more responsibility during Slack/Basecamp/Google chats. In your neighborhood, check on your neighbors via text, email or a note under their door. We have "free library" boxes in my neighborhood that are now adding canned goods/non-perishables for anyone who needs them.
5. Limit trips to the fridge or cupboard. Ask yourself, "Am I hungry or bored?" Usually the second one is correct.
6. Find your "office". Make it a separate space. Avoid eating at your kitchen table, then taking a conference call.
7. Exercise. Get out for 30-60 min daily if possible, whether it's walking/running with friends, a lakefront walk, YouTube exercise videos, whatever. It helps with brainstorming, too. Bring your phone for jotting down ideas via Notes. Trust me, you'll forget if you don't.
8. Refer qualified people and/or subcontract if you have too much work. Ask HR first. Our WFH/freelance network will expand when we help one another and find cool people to work with.
9. You don't have an assistant, conference room or cube neighbor right now. Yes, it's STILL your responsibility for deadlines and improving the work.
10. You may not want to return to an office. You'll find the ability to think clearly, having a quiet space and the freedom to talk to yourself while walking in circles won't be allowed when you have to go back.
Thank you, Anne, for this, and as another veteran WFH person, I'd like to add, dress nice at least occasionally if not every day. If you go into your home office in pjs or yoga clothes constantly, you lose your "professional" mindset. Abby Glassenberg, co-founder of the Craft Industry Alliance, talks about this in my book Creating A Freelance Career. She said, "I"m very self-disciplined when it comes to work...I really treat my days like I would if I were working in a traditional job in an office or classroom, which means I show up at work on time, dressed nicely, and am ready to work. I'm a stay-at-home mom to three daughters so I have limited work hours and I try t make the best of them." I'm sure many of that can relate to that last part, especially now if your kids and/or partner are also at home during this outbreak.
You're so right, Jill , and thank you for the reminder. I've started to get ready for the day like I was leaving the house. It does make a difference. Plus the UPS guy is like, "Do you wear anything nice?" lol