Working from Home during (COVID-19)
Ensure your workspace is conducive to working
- To be productive, you need an office environment that allows you to comfortably work and stay focused while Working from Home during (COVID-19)
- designate an area of your home, specifically for getting work done. This could be an empty or spare bedroom that you convert to a home office. If you are pressed for space, you can set up a desk for your computer and office supplies
- Be sure your workspace is quiet so you can focus on the task at hand.
Invest in quality Technology
- A high-performance router will save you from many technology hassles. Since working from home often requires more than chat messages, you need a router that will keep up.
- Even if you have a brand-new laptop or a new smartphone, you will want to invest in a quality pair of headphones with a mic. Noise-canceling features can really help improve the clarity of your phone calls. With modern business VoIP service, you will appreciate the higher fidelity of your calls.
Make sure you have comfortable office furniture
- Depending on the amount of space available, consider purchasing a large desk, bookshelves, and a comfortable office chair – it is important to ensure comfort as you don’t know how long you will be Working from Home during (COVID-19)
Schedule your day
- A structured routine helps effectively manage tasks and stay on target for deadlines.
- Even if you don’t have to be up as early to leave for the office, you should still set an alarm to commit to waking up at the same time
- A short planning session in the morning to map out your day can be very effective.
- Enforce a hard limit at the end of the day. Distance yourself from work, so you don’t work nonstop.
- If you are most productive in the morning, then you may want to set your work hours from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. or if you are a night owl then 1pm – 9pm (or later)
- Avoid work creep – setting work hours and not letting them creep into your personal time
- When you make your task list, stick to it
Track your time
- Be aware of how much time is spent not working. What are you spending that time doing and how much does it detract from your work goals?
- Get into the habit of using a calendar or planner.
- Although taking breaks might seem counterproductive, research has shown that taking short breaks can actually increase productivity and creativity levels. If you don’t have a work-life balance, then you won’t last too long working at home.
Dress as you mean to work
- If you enjoy working in your PJs, then you are killing your productivity. “Dress for success” isn’t just a corporate catchphrase; it really matters when you work from home.
- You’ll be prepared to get work done, and you will be mentally and physically prepared for the day while Working from Home during (COVID-19)
Avoid checking personal email, working in the lounge or social networking sites during work hours
- A serious distraction that can go by unnoticed – and cost you your day.
- Avoid watching TV while working; it sucks up your focus from the purpose of working at home. Instead, stream music that complements your work style.
Stay connected
- It’s easy to lose contact. Check in with your immediate colleagues and team regularly throughout the day.
- Don’t forget family and friends. Set aside time or use your breaks to call or email close contacts and stay in the loop.
Take regular breaks and remember to exercise
- Respite from your desk is important, especially when you’re confined to your home. Schedule regular breaks.
- Staying active can be a challenge when you’re in a confined space, especially cardio. Exercise is a known aid in helping with the symptoms of isolation so if you are well, be sure to stay active. Incorporate stretching, yoga, dips, lunges and natural resistance exercises to stay active.
Exercises to stay positive during these challenging times
Life is neither pink or grey: it is multi-coloured. It’s our eye that lingers on the beautiful or the ugly. The positive or the negative
Here is a great tool to learn how to stop negative thoughts. When you feel an unpleasant emotion (sadness, anger, fear, jealousy, etc) identify the thought the accompanies it (= automatic thought). Then imagine another interpretation equally convincing to explain the same situation, but positive this time (= alternative thought)
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Situation |
Emotion | Automatic thought |
Alternative thought |
| My clients are not calling me anymore | Concern, fear | They don’t think I am good enough or I made a mistake | I have given them detailed information and right now they are good with what they have |
With practice, you will learn to replace your automatic negative thoughts with positive alternative ones, the fly without delay.
Let’s avoid dwelling on our worries!
What moments or situations tend to make you worry?
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Moments when I worry |
Situations when I worry |
What can you do to change these circumstances and avoid dwelling on your worries?
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My tips for not worrying are:
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Do something rather than worrying
There’s nothing like absorbing activities for avoiding worry. Think about activities that are so absorbing and interesting that you put all your mental energy into that and away from worry. These activities will
- Require concentration
- Be challenging
- Block out all distractions and preoccupations
My anti-worry activities are:
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If you need any more support or help during these difficult and challenging times, then please reach out to our team.
Together we can all get through this.
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