Each day of the past week has delivered massive change as the coronavirus pandemic continues to play out on a global scale; borders are being closed, central banks are taking extraordinary action and people are being urged to take social distancing more seriously.
Employees throughout Australia have either opted or been directed to work from home, and are in the midst of adjusting their habits and workflows accordingly – a process which may come more naturally to some than others.
After a week of reading just about every working from home tip list out there, we’ve boiled it down to three main takeaways.
1- Prioritise socialisation, even if it looks a little different
The transition from working in a busy office, surrounded by coworkers and constant chat, to an indefinite (and likely extended) period of working from home can feel jarring, and quickly begin to feel lonely.
Finding ways to touch base with colleagues, customers and coworkers throughout the day, whether through a group chat, a team video call, or virtual happy hour at the end of the day helps break up the monotony and soften the feelings of isolation.
2- Find what works for you, and then stick to it
Your at-home work day isn’t going to be identical to what happens over the course of a day in the office, and it’s likely going to take some trial and error to see what yields the best results.
That said, it’s important to make sure you don’t just go with the flow and approach shaping your days with some intentionality. Failing to do so, somewhat counterintuitively, can result in working much longer hours and comprising on work/life balance. Setting boundaries helps ensure work doesn’t swell to fill the entire day, from waking up to going to bed – the last thing that’s going to make working from home feel sustainable.
Whether through setting up a dedicated workspace, committing to defined work hours, or scheduling in regular breaks throughout the day, it’s important to do what you can to cultivate sustained success and avoid burn out.
3- Remember we’re all in this together
With each passing day, you’d be harder pressed to find even one person whose life hasn’t been impacted in a very tangible way by the coronavirus pandemic - and the measures taken on a global scale to slow the spread.
Everyone is in the midst of working out their own approach to keeping their professional and personal lives afloat, amidst the mass cancelations, economic instability and global anxiety; have patience with yourself, and have patience with others.
If you have any tips you think are worth sharing, drop them in the comments below.
