Tips on Working from Home

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Working from home (WFH) might sound like a dream to some – cuddling your dog and wandering into your kitchen to snack anytime you want while in the comfort of your own home? Sign us up! Others, however, view it as a nightmare. How will you get any of your work done with distractions? From the kids or pets to simple tasks around the house (it’s so easy to do a quick load of laundry!), distractions will most certainly get in the way of productivity.

Here are a few ways to make working from home productive and enjoyable: 

  • Arrange your regular workspace. If you don’t already have an office or small desk area to work at in your home, get creative by setting up shop at your dining/kitchen table. Sitting on the couch or kicking back in the recliner with your laptop sounds great (and maybe is) for a while, but establishing an area with all of your tools and resources will keep you motivated in your daily work life.
  • Stick to your regular schedule. Sleeping in or working late can turn into a vicious cycle that will be even worse when we do go back to our normal working hours. Get up when you usually would for work; shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and settle into your work zone as you would at the office. This will motivate your mindset so that when it’s time to work, it’s time to actually work!
  • Establish house rules. For example, when your office door is shut, that means you’re off-limits, whether for a Zoom meeting, client call or simply trying to get an important project done. Setting up rules for your working hours will decrease distractions, establish important boundaries for kids and spouses and ease your stress when you know you have a solid chunk of time to get your work done.
  • Take breaks during the day. It’s critical to step away from your computer screen on any given workday, but especially when you work from home. It’s easy to get sucked into work for hours at a time or check your email long after office hours have ended. Make sure to take your lunch hour (walk the dog, binge your favorite half-hour show while you eat, etc.), stand up and stretch, walk around your house for a couple minutes every few hours, that kind of thing.
  • Log off social media. This one’s a good rule of thumb no matter where you’re working, because obviously if you’re perusing Twitter for the 37th time that day, you aren’t getting much done. Prevent any aimless scrolling by checking your feeds first thing in the morning, logging off and not going back until later that day or during one of your breaks. (And this includes turning off any notifications or sounds on your phone, too!)

We know these are stressful times, and even the most dedicated worker can become distracted, as well as worried, by constant news updates about COVID-19 and how it’s impacting our region, state and country. When all else fails, take a deep breath and step away from the desk for a few minutes. We’ll get through this together, and until we’re back in our offices, we’ll see you on those important Zoom calls!

About the Writer:

Liz Long is editor of The Roanoker Magazine, bridebook and the official Virginia Travel Guide. She is also a USA Today bestselling author of YA and urban fantasy. When not writing, she can be found drinking happy hour prosecco, walking on the greenway or cuddling her dog, Fisher. Follow her on Instagram at @lizclong07.