If this is your first time working remote because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has a few tips to share that have worked for us.
With having a small team, we had the ability of setting our work schedules to work from home three times a week. That helped cut down on our daily commutes, made child care a little easier, and with technology at our fingertips, we thought, why not? Little did we know that working remotely would become an everyday thing for us and the new normal around the world.
Here’s some remote working tips we have to share:
1. Have a dedicated workspace.
Whether your new workspace is your kitchen table or you have a makeshift office, keeping separation of home and work the best you can will help you focus on your work every day.
2. Keep a similar routine as you would if you were going into the office.
A lot has changed in such a short time, but if you are able to keep some things constant, like your typical routines, you can find success.
- Get up at a similar time
- Get dressed as if you were going to work (you never know when you’ll be on video chat)
- Eat breakfast (don’t forget coffee)
3. Take time for lunch and breaks. Be sure to step away from the screen a few times for a refresh.
We know it can be hard to step away from your work when you do not have physical separation from work and home. It is important to take breaks a few times a day. Get up and give your eyes a break from your computer screen. Our Account Manager, Shannon walks her dog in her neighborhood. One of our Partners, Lindsay takes her daughters outside for play time. With heightened digital presence during this time, giving yourself a few minutes throughout the day to reset and refresh can be vital.
4. Stay connected and organized with help from project management programs.
Keeping in touch with your coworkers is even more important now since you aren’t interacting with them face to face. At M+, we check in with the team throughout the day and keep updated as projects and tasks keep moving. Using group chats or video chat options helps you stay connected with your team members while physically apart. We even partake in a virtual happy hours every now and then.
5. Get some fresh air and stay active.
With working from home becoming the new normal, our commutes to work have been eliminated. If you are able to do so, take a walk in your neighborhood, or just get up and walk around your home. Get moving after a long day of screentime and sitting.
Stay safe, stay in the know, and keep doing your part to flatten the curve as we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19. We’re all in this together.