More than
ever before, many companies are asking their employees to work from home to
remain safe and unaffected. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to capture
headlines in the news and spread rapidly, employees are struggling with finding
a sense of calm and stability throughout the ever-changing updates and reality
that this virus has become our new normal for the time being. So what does that
mean for the employees who are fortunate enough to work remotely?
Although
working from home has many benefits, some being flexibility, increased
productivity, zero-commute, and more quality time with your loved ones, working
remotely also could make it more difficult to power off and unplug from your
workday, ultimately decreasing your work-life balance. Work-life balance,
especially during uncertain times like COVID-19, is essential to employees’
growth and personal happiness and company retention. When employees are
encouraged to find a positive work-life balance, they tend to be more motivated
to produce great work.
Here are our
11 tips to achieve work-life balance when working remotely:
1. Set a structured work schedule.
To maximize
your productivity and your workday while working remotely, it’s imperative to
set a cohesive schedule for yourself to guide you through the day. Given that
working from home can be more comfortable and a bit relaxing compared to being
in the office, imposing a structure on your day will limit the distractions and
keep you focused on the tasks at hand.
2. Make a to-do list to start your day
productively.
In addition
to crafting a specific structure for your day, curating to-do lists are helpful
to ensure that you’re being productive and accomplishing what needs to be done
in your role. Physically crossing tasks and projects off a to-do list can be
gratifying – especially if you are questioning your productivity levels and
progress.
3. Get grounded.
Try not to
roll out of bed to start working right away. Instead, before firing up your
laptop, attack your morning routine: shower, grab a bite too, meditate and yoga
vinyasa flow (totally up to you!). Take the time you need before the workday
starts to maximize success later in the day.
4. Set boundaries.
Living with
roommates, a significant other, or children? Take your space when you can and
communicate your needs, time restraints and work schedules clearly and ahead of
time. Communication is key! Be mindful of proactively communicating your needs
regarding your upcoming work schedule and commitments beforehand, so everyone
is aware of various time restraints and your personal needs as you journey
through your workday.
5. Hit your stride.
Develop a
workspace cadence with your roommates to ensure that you’re all able to work
from home comfortably and without any distractions. Although working from home
tends to be more laid back than working from the office, it’s crucial to be
professional at all times. Develop a workspace cadence with your roommates or significant
other to limit potential issues, especially during video conference calls.
6. Designate a workspace.
Establish a
dedicated workspace within your home to help you create a consistent routine
for when it’s time to work. When it’s time to clock in, you’ll know to go to a
specific area within your home, similar to being in the office.
7. Take breaks.
Stretch or
take a walk to rest your eyes often from your computer screen in 10-15 minute
intervals. To not get bogged down or overwhelmed with your workday, take some
time to get up, stretch, and move around your home. Taking a break from staring
at your computer screen will help you maintain productivity in the long run.
8. Claim your lunch hour for self-care.
The beauty
of working from home is it truly is what you make of it. Get creative during
your lunch hour by dedicating yourself to practice acts of self-care. Some
ideas: a light stretch, yoga exercise, eating something healthy, a call with
your therapist or a close friend, or guided breathing.
9. Get organized.
Use
organizational tools like Google calendar, Asana, etc. to block off specific
periods of your workday to amplify workflow. When working from home, teams
usually pile on the conference calls to ensure that deadlines are being met and
communication doesn’t falter. However, you can still leverage time gaps on your
calendar to make sure that you’re being productive and getting your work done.
10. Transition out gracefully.
Don’t rush
or cram to accomplish tasks that can be easily finished tomorrow. Instead,
gently bow out of your workday by wrapping up current projects and prepping
your to-do list for the next day.
11. Mark the end of the day.
Schedule
some time to celebrate the end of your workday with your loved ones and/or
roommates with 1-2 fun activities. You made it! It’s now the end of your
workday and you’re feeling accomplished and capable. What better way to
celebrate with loved ones or your roommates? Think of a bonding activity that
you could do together to close out the day.