8 Do's and Don'ts of Working from Home

To say that the past year was full of surprises would be an understatement. And while some of us used this weird blip in time to learn new hobbies, others had no choice but to develop an entirely new set of survival skills...like learning how to work from home.

Until recently, for many people the idea of working from home seemed unlikely, but now it’s a way of life. Before the pandemic, only 16.4% of people worked remotely and this year it is estimated that the number will double to 34.4%. 

And like adopting any new habit, adapting to working from home comes with some great perks, but also has its downside . Take your environment for example. Working from your living room might be convenient, say if you don’t want to get dressed for your morning meeting. But introducing your office space into what was  once your resting space can lead to a constant sense of fatigue.  

Fortunately it’s never too late to learn how to strike some balance while working from home. Our list of do’s and don’ts will help you better adjust to working from home no matter your situation. 

The DO’s

Create a routine

Do everything you can to make your body and mind believe you’ve still got some place to go in the morning. Your daily routine can include anything from making yourself a cup of coffee to doing some exercise, or just hopping out of your pajamas and getting dressed for work (really, put some ‘outside’ clothes on). When you start your day early to follow your routine, it eventually becomes a habit that helps you keep going. 

Set up a workstation

Find a place that is comfortable and distraction-free. Since you are going to spend most of your time working, make sure you keep all the necessary equipment nearby so you don’t have to venture out of your ‘office’ to find something. 

Make time for free time

One of the perks of working remotely is that you can control how you spend your time. And now that you no longer have to commute, you’ll find that you may have a bit more free time — use it wisely. It's highly recommended to adopt something like the pomodoro technique and take conscious 10-15 minute minute breaks every hour. You can do whatever comes to your mind to make you relax. But keep an eye on the clock so you don’t end up procrastinating or rushing to do your work. 

Be organized 

We could all benefit from learning how to work smarter, not harder. Organize your tasks based on a daily priority list. Do the most important tasks during your most productive hours, this practice will help you be more productive in your work. You can create a to-do list the night before or in the morning, and that can set the tone for the rest of your day so you’ll know exactly what to do and when.

The Don’ts

Don’t work from just anywhere

You need to have your own space when it comes to working from home. Which means that no matter how tempting it might be, working from bed or your couch might not be the best space for you to be in if you hope to be productive. The reasons are both psychological as they are physical; your mind equates the couch and bed as a place to rest, not to mention spending the day slouching is not advisable for your body posture.

Don't allow any distractions

Social media and personal emails need to be saved for later ( you can use an app to help set limits to your daily use). Minimize distractions as much as you can. Block a definitive time to check your emails. The same goes for social media, which nowadays is even more tempting because we use it for recreation and fun. 

Don’t give yourself more work ( don’t procrastinate)

Procrastination can make things on your to-do list pile up, which can make them even more difficult to get done. When you work from home, having the flexibility to control your schedule can actually make it easier for us to procrastinate, even if we’re not aware of it. Just try to find a way to manage your time effectively because when you work from home time management is the key to striking work-life balance. 

Don’t mix your house chores with your work hours

It is crucial to keep a balance between the two. If you share a home with other people, let them know your work schedule so if they need you for something, they’ll know the hours you’re available. Sometimes, when people see that you’re working from home they think that you have the flexibility to manage everything that is happening at home at the same time. Having a routine and dedicated workspace can help remind folks that you cannot shift gears at the drop of a hat.