Most of us are used to working in an office for full time almost all our professional lives. Some may say that the everyday routine of going to work makes them feel energized and ready to take on the challenges at the office. There's plenty of people who love to work their way through their morning routine, waking up at 5 a.m., prepare breakfast, shower, and commute to work. It's a daily routine for a lot of people to drive or walk by their favorite coffee shop, order their favorite latte and make their way to their workplace.
Then this big shift in the “normal” happened. You are now asked to work remotely, full-time.
People have different takes on this sudden shift. Some may be comfortable working from home, but others may feel caged. There are a lot of emotions that can surface by just the thought of staying home 24/7.
Remember, you are not alone in this. Feeling all the emotions is normal. But for those who want to be comfortable and productive working from home, learn these simple tips on how to prepare yourself to work remotely.
- Gather all materials needed to complete your work.
Because you are transition into a work from home set up, your workspace will change too. You may not have the same dual monitors you have in the office, or you might not have a comfortable chair like you usually do. This means that you'll have to work with what you already have. Ask your company for assistance in gathering all the necessary tools you need for work. Then create a workspace in your home where you can focus and work with little distractions.
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- Reconsider meetings on your calendar.
Small talks in the break room will not work anymore, now you are in the comfort of your home. This means that interactions with your colleagues are eliminated. Schedule an informal meeting on your calendar once every couple of weeks just to catch-up with your co-workers. This will allow you to feel like you are still in the office having small chats and catching up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.
- Let the team know about changes to your schedule.
Remote schedules can be unpredictable. And with this, it is important to maintain constant communication with your team if there are schedule changes. This will also allow them to consider their own schedules and work on things that are more important. It can also be a way to minimize misunderstandings between team members.
- Set boundaries between personal and professional life.
It's very easy for anyone to work beyond business hours if you're at home. This may seem beneficial, but it can drain you in the long run. You should be able to set boundaries that make sense to you. During normal business hours, you should solely focus on getting work things done. Once the alarm goes off at the end of your shift, make sure you've accomplished everything you need for the day so that you can clear your mind with tasks from work. It's important to create a routine where you can rest and do other things that make you happy.
