Working and Learning From Home

September 15, 2020 | Lifestyle

Saying goodbye to summer typically means saying hello to familiar routines, like spending more time in the office or heading back to school. But since 2020 itself has been anything but familiar, it’s little surprise that the start to fall is no exception. With many of us slated to work from home for the foreseeable future, and kids of all ages (along with their parents) learning that in-person education may not be in the cards this year, we’re all coming to terms with a vastly different day to day. And while we may not be able to control the chaos that’s unfurling around us, we can certainly control our response to it. So, in the spirit of fighting uncertainty with productivity, we’ve curated a list of tips for making the most of your time at home—whether you’re an employee, parent, student, or all of the above.

Telecommuting Tips and Tricks:

1. The early bird gets the worm:

While one silver lining to working from home is the ability to cut out your commute, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should start your morning later than you normally would. In fact, many pro work-from-homers suggest that the earlier you dive into your work, the less chance you have to procrastinate.

2. Act like you’re going into the office:

Try to mimic your once typical morning routine to set yourself up for success, whether that means waking up at a certain time, exercising, making coffee, or even dressing the part.

3. Designate a workspace and set your hours:

For many, going into the office signifies an essential distinction between work and play. And although that physical separation may now be missing in action, there’s no reason you can’t bring the office to you. Even if you live in a small apartment, try to carve out your own workspace—ideally one with a comfortable chair and good natural light—that you can enter at the beginning of the day and leave at the end of it. Equally as important is outlining your work hours—and sticking to them. Just because you’re always technically in your office these days, you shouldn’t always be online.