Jarred Consulting

Working from Home – 8 Top Tips for making it through the day and achieving all you want. This week has seen a dramatic increase in people working from home, not just here in the UK but across the globe. So how do we get used to the new (albeit) norm? The joy of not having to do the daily commute may be short-lived if you’re struggling to strike a balance so we’ve pulled together some top tips for staying sane and getting the best out of the new work routine. Here are our 8 Top Tips on Working from Home: 1. Create a new morning routine Whether it is having a shower, getting dressed as if you are going into work, and then reading the paper, or writing your to-do list, it is important to create a routine which works in the new circumstance. It allows you to focus and think about your goals for the day, before it gets underway. In fact, many people find it beneficial to get up at roughly the same time as you would on a normal day! 2. Have a calm dedicated workspace Create a dedicated workspace that is free of distractions so you can concentrate and stay focussed when you're at home — and try not to go to your home office space outside of working hours and vice versa to really keep that separation. If there are a number of you in the household, agree your own spaces and respect them. 3. Plan a schedule Just because you're working from home doesn't mean your day shouldn't be structured. It is helpful during these unpredictable times, to retain a sense of control and discipline. Developing a schedule you can commit to will help you to feel on top of the day and have clarity on what you are aiming to achieve. If you have kids at home with you, and they are old enough to understand, make sure they know your schedule, and encourage them to set one for themselves. If you are juggling the care of little ones with your work, agree a schedule with your partner, where possible, so you take it in turns with the childcare, and each get the opportunity to progress other tasks each day. Aligning talent strategies with business objectives www.jarredconsulting.com 4. Factor in breaks Take time to breathe, relax, and enjoy your surroundings. Set alarms, if you need, for regular 10-minute breaks to move, to stretch, to get fresh air, and disconnect from tech devices. Make sure you stop for lunch too! If others in your household are also working from home, or perhaps you have children or relatives staying with you, arrange specific times when you come back together to chat. Having breaks allows you to re-focus your brain. 5. Keep moving A healthy body leads to a healthy mind! Make sure you build in time to exercise (if that’s your thing) and get the blood pumping! Carrying out physical household tasks can also help to break up the day, and get you moving. Empty the dishwasher, hang up your washing, hoover the floor. The achievement of simple tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment, no matter how small. And remember to come back to your workspace once you’re done! 6. Manage client and employer expectations We are all going to be juggling many things over the coming months, especially once the kids aren’t at school. Managing the expectations of clients, colleagues and managers will help smooth the path. Make sure they know when you’re able to answer emails, texts, or calls. Set your ‘out of office’ to notify people of new hours or set time limits of when you anticipate being able to respond. These tools don’t just have to be for holiday notifications. 7. Mix it up Where possible, find a secondary place in your house to carry out certain work tasks, for example, a reading area to run through something you have drafted or are researching. A change of scenery helps you get fresh perspective and gives you time away from your desk. 8. Speak to People Socialising is really important when working from home. Feeling connected and supported prevents feelings of isolation. Make sure you call people by phone or have at least one video call scheduled in a day. If you are at home with others, factor in time to catch up, or just bounce ideas off each other. The key to keeping sane and connected is having someone to talk to besides your dog! For more information, you can contact us here.