So we’re a few days into working from home. Anyone else slowly figuring out what works…and what really, really does NOT?
Currently, I work full-time as an English tutor. I’m unendingly grateful that my job can continue virtually during this time of social isolation, but doing everything online does have some challenges. (See: Saturday morning when I spent half an hour trying to figure out why I couldn’t hear a student over Skype.) I’m trying to simultaneously be a good employee who continues to get things done while working from home, and also be kind to myself as I work out the kinks of our current reality.
As I encounter some of the challenges of working from home, I’ve been reading all the articles and advice floating about how to stay productive during this time. I’ve created a game plan to help me still get things done while I’m stuck in our apartment. Some of these are tricks that I use all the time; some are specific to work from home life. Want to join me? Here are the tips and tricks I’m going to be following.
How to Get Things Done While Working from Home
Set Yourself Up for Success
Establish a morning routine
Right now, I am re-learning the power and importance of routines. Routines, especially morning ones, help me when my brain is at its least capable. Instead of waking up and having to decide what to do next, I already have a plan in place.
I’ve been working on establishing a morning routine since January, and my routine is almost where I want it to be. Right now, here’s my ideal:
- Read in bed. Yep, in bed. This feels like a luxury, and I will take all small luxuries that I can get right now. I read something thoughtful (currently this) for a few minutes, or until I don’t feel groggy.
- Make the bed. My small goal from January is still going strong. And it still makes me happy every day.
- Right now, I’m doing a short yoga routine or a quick bodyweight series. I’m building this habit very slowly but surely. (Check out more of what I’ve learned about habit building here!)
- Get entirely ready. Shower (ahem…some days…), get dressed, all the things.
- If possible: drink tea or eat breakfast with Adam, on the balcony if it’s not freezing. We don’t do this every morning, but it’s dreamy if we can!
- Start work
This slower entry into work keeps my pace less frantic and helps me set up for the day in a way that feels both energizing and kind.
Keep set work hours
As a tutor, some of my schedule – like the hours I have meetings or student sessions – are locked in on my calendar. The rest of my work hours are flexible. Deciding ahead of time what hours I’ll be on the clock helps keep procrastination at bay.
As much as possible, keep a separate work space
We are lucky enough to have an office, a blessing I will never again take for granted. But we do only have one desk, and Adam and I both have to take video calls throughout the day. My designated video call spot has become our kitchen table. I put all my tutoring materials into crates so they’re easy to move into place before calls. Then, when tutoring sessions for the day are done, everything gets moved back into the office. This eliminates the hunt for materials before sessions, and it makes clean-up super quick.
For other times, most spaces in our apartment are fair game. I try to mostly sit on the couch in our office, though I definitely spend a good bit of time sprawled on the floor. (I wrote almost every paper in college from my dorm room floor – it didn’t take me long to revert back to this!) But I do try to avoid our bed or the living room couch. Those spaces are saved for time off the clock.
Establish clear expectations
As much as possible, Adam and I are trying to let each other know when we’ll be on calls or what hours we’ll work. It’s just nicer to not worry about someone running through the background of your video call. We probably need to establish do-not-talk-to-me-right-now signals, but we haven’t gotten there yet. 😉
Feel like a person
On those days when I virtually see students, I prioritize comfort while still feeling like a functional human. Feeling like I tried when I got ready is key to get things done while working from home. If I’m going to be on video, I’ll still put on mascara, eyeliner, and brow gel. (Otherwise, I feel like a sloppy 12-year-old when I see myself on the screen.) Clothes-wise, I keep things comfier than typical office wear, but still professional-ish. I’m currently loving t-shirt dresses or the oh-so-novel jeans + t-shirt combo right now. I’ll sometimes throw on earrings when I’m going to be on video (again, it’s an easy way to feel like I tried). I completely ignore all advice to wear shoes because I would skip wearing those to my real job if I could.
Use Your Work Hours Wisely
Create a routine to start work time (that isn’t email)
I’m admittedly awful at this. I know getting into the right headspace is key for getting things done, while working from home or anywhere else. Lately, I’ve been attempting writing down a few affirmations to enter into work mode. They’re simply statements about what I want to believe about my work. (Need an example? A few of my go-to’s: “My work is valuable. I am helping students achieve their goals for the future. I am capable of sustained focus and attention.”) When I do this, it does help focus me and remind me what’s important! Now the key is just to do it…
Set daily goals
Depending on how much of my time is taken up by meetings or tutoring sessions, I set 3-5 goals for the workday. I keep a larger master to-do list. Then, either at the end of a work day or the start of a new one, I’ll pick a small, manageable number of tasks to accomplish next. It makes me feel more satisfied than looking at a giant list of things and feeling like I was just spinning my wheels!
Try block scheduling
Even when I’m not trying to get things done while working from home, I use a pretty loose block scheduling mindset to figure out what I’m going to do when. It’s especially helpful for current quarantine life. I draw out my day, block off meeting times and tutoring calls in red, then assign the leftover blocks of time to particular tasks. If I’m really struggling to get started, I’ll use the Pomodoro method. I’ll set an online timer for 20 minutes and see how much I can get done in those 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, I can take a quick water or stretch break if I need to.
I also schedule in breaks, which brings me to…
Plan for breaks – including lunch
Planning out when I’m going to take breaks is key for me to stay get things done while working from home. I do this at the office, and I think it’s just as essential when I’m not! Admittedly, I struggle with how to give myself breaks that actually feel like a mental refresh. This week, I want to try doing this yoga video, taking a quick walk around our apartment building, or reading for 10 minutes.
If possible, I also love when Adam and I can align our schedules for a lunch break. It’s even better if we play music, or if it’s warm enough that we can eat outside.
I’m also realizing that I’m most likely to get off-track for the day when a break lingers on too long. There are just so many distractions at home! This week, I’m going to try setting a timer for when my break needs to be done, especially a 5-minute warning when I need to wrap up lunch and get back to work.
Limit social media as much as possible
It’s tempting when you know that your coworker won’t see you – but I’m trying to eliminate any scrolling during the work day! It makes me distracted and cranky, and it doesn’t really feel like a soul-sustaining break. If this proves too hard, I’m just going to delete the apps from my phone during work hours.
Effectively end to the work day
Create a mental signal that the work day is over
I’m quickly realizing that I need a routine to end the work day – otherwise it feels like I don’t really leave “work mode.” I already miss the mental unwind of driving home while listening to podcasts! This week, I really want to spend a few minutes outside at the end of the work day. If it’s crummy out, I want to play music or a podcast while starting dinner. Anyone have any other ideas for how to effectively transition to non-work-brain?
Have something you can look forward to in the evening
While we’re all stuck at home, I feel like this is more important than ever. This week? I’m looking forward to streaming the Met opera, choosing a board game to play with Adam, reading a good book, trying out new recipes, and going for drives to admire the spring blooms. I’ve got a bunch of other ideas here if you need more suggestions!
I am definitely not a master at this work from home thing – I’d love to hear how you’re handling it!