Working from home has been a strange and unexpected experience. It’s been amazing to work in a comfortable environment while getting to spend more time with my family. However, it does have its difficulties as well. Over the last 6 months, I’ve developed a guide to keep my work life and home life separate while being as productive as possible.
One of the most important things I have discovered is that you have to create clear boundaries between your work life and your home life – but, how, exactly, do you keep these separate when you are working at home?
There are simple ways to maintain these boundaries.
Create a Work Space.
Whether it’s a spot at the dining table or a full-blown office, it’s important to have a space dedicated solely to working. This is how you can create a physical separation between work and home. Keeping a space dedicated for work inspires productivity and helps to maintain a healthy work/home environment. While you should work somewhere comfortable, stay away from the couch and your bed! As tempting as it may seem, it will actually hinder you.
Keep Strict Working Hours
You should only be working during your designated working hours. It can be easy to take advantage of your bandwidth for tasks, but overworking yourself will harm your productivity in the long run and ruin the sanctuary that is your home. It is important to set these boundaries because home is supposed to be your place to wind-down and relax; when you extend your working hours, you start breaking down the boundaries vital to productivity and your sanity.
Now that you’ve established these boundaries, you have to put yourself in the mindset that when you are working, you are at work and not at home. There are a few easy ways to do this.
Dress to Impress!
Dress up as you would for the office; this will help put you in the right mindset. Dressing up for work yields rewarding results, as it helps to complete the illusion that you are in a different spot when you are working.
Stay in Touch With Your Coworkers
While most jobs rely on teamwork and collaborating with coworkers, that isn’t true of every job. If you play more of a solo, or isolated, role in your company, it’s important not to forget your coworkers! Having someone that can relate to the changes you are experiencing can make working from home feel so much easier. Your coworkers may also have tips to help you transition that are unique to your own company.
Now that you’ve created a spot to work and put yourself in the right mindset, you’re ready for your workday… right? Almost, but not quit! Putting yourself in a positive work environment is important, but maintaining that and learning how to work by yourself is still imperative to a productive day.
Here are a few tips to help you keep up with your workload.
Keep a Work Planner
Write down what you plan to accomplish for the day. Set an hourly schedule for yourself to stay on track with the daily goals you’ve set for yourself. Once your day is over, review it and write down what you were actually able to accomplish. This will help you to figure out what you can realistically expect from yourself in an average at-home workday, as well as point out any possible hindrances or distractions. Maybe keeping the TV on wasn’t a good idea, after all…
Don’t Forget to Take a Break!
Step away from your work to clear your mind; if you can, take a walk around the block to get some fresh air.
While all of the tips and tricks mentioned above are widely considered to be helpful to your overall productivity, every person is different, and so is every work from home style. Let us know how working from home has been for you! Furloughed during the pandemic and haven’t been able to find new work? Reach out to us at recruit@bachrachgroup.com and we will be happy to assist.
Written By
Teresa Fanzo
Marketing Intern
