How is working from home going for you? Loving it or hating it?
I speak to freelancers and business owners every day, most of whom are parents who are used to working at home around naps and school pick ups. But what I’ve really enjoyed over the last few months are the stories of the ones that aren’t used to working from home!
I’ve enjoyed tales of naked husbands walking past a Zoom call. And we’ve all grown used to children’s shouts in the background. It’s humanised even the coldest of hearts!
But not everyone loves it. Some people find it stressful, uncomfortable and lonely, which I can also understand. After having my second child I transitioned from working 4 days a week all over the country to sitting at a laptop on my own in my living room. The home office is the domain of my husband….it smells funny!
I struggled with not speaking to people unless I had organised a call. And the more I avoided the telephone, the harder it was to pick up the phone. If I had a bad day or something went wrong, I would spiral into a dark hole putting me in a horrible mood for when the rest of my family came home.
But gradually, I figured it all out. I worked out how to make working from home, work for me. So here, my friends, are my top tips…
- Find a workspace
This can be really tricky, particularly if you don’t have an office and you share your common spaces with other people. But having a dedicated workspace and living space is really important for work-life balance – you need a way to get out of the work zone. Even something as simple as moving to a different seat in the room
- Get dressed
It’s really important that you feel good and confident at work and that often means presenting yourself in the way you would at work. There’s nothing worse than staring at yourself in the bottom right hand of the screen thinking “I look awful, I wish I’d put makeup on. I look like a moon” (is that just me?!). I’m not suggesting you don your little black dress but get yourself dressed in a way that makes you feel good. It’s all about mindset!
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- Walk!
The powers of fresh air and seeing some trees should not be under-estimated. Go for a walk in the middle of the day and I promise you will be more productive. It wakes you up and gives you a little perspective.
- Work to your needs
I’ve always known that I’m rubbish before 10am (just ask the PA’s at my old office!). My brain doesn’t work, I’m weak and I can’t concentrate. I used to force myself to work from 8.30 once everyone left the house but I ended up frustrated and in a bad mood for the day. Once I started working with my body clock I felt so much more relaxed. It means I work 10am til sometimes 9 or 10 at night (with a gap for school pick up and dinner), but that’s what works. So stop fighting it!
- Stick to your principles
3pm to 7pm is family time. It’s a non-negotiable. I’m very open at telling people I don’t work then and can’t do meetings at that time. The less ashamed I have become, the more accepting other people are. If you have principles, whether it be dog walk, visits to parents or morning yoga, it’s yours. Working from home doesn’t mean work needs to invade your home life or family time.
- Schedule regular meetings
When days go by without speaking to people you can get into a real funk. Schedule regular meetings where you speak to people scheduled at the right time of day. It’s important to keep communication channels open and check in with each other.
- Carry on learning
If you’re used to being in an office you will take for granted the knowledge and skills you acquire (never mind the gossip!). It’s important that you continue to develop yourself and seek opportunities to grow. It’s good for the soul! Set time aside for learning, think about things like coaching, mentoring, buddying, online webinars, networking – there is so much out there at the minute.
- Socialise
Finally, even though it’s not easy at the minute, socialise. We are social beings and we need interaction. Keep some regular socials in the diary, like Tuesday night quiz night with friends or book group with your neighbours.
Working from home can be amazing. It’s the opportunity you’ve always needed to be in control of your timetable. But, like most things in life, it needs to be considered and planned in order to be enjoyed. Work out what makes you happy and stick to it!
By Jessica Heagren
Jessica Heagren is CEO and Cofounder of That Works For Me.
Small businesses and agencies often stop themselves accessing the expert help they need and deserve because they believe they’re too small or can’t fill a full-time role. That Works For Me brings these businesses a marketplace of thousands of experienced professionals ranging from social media managers to lawyers – all looking to work flexibly, remotely and outside of the 9 to 5. Over 90% of businesses find the skills they need and deserve when they need them on our totally affordable, digital platform so they can focus on the things that matter…like making money!
