The transition to working from inside your own home is more natural and normal now than we ever imagined. If you told me 12 months ago that the majority of the United States would be functioning from inside employees’ homes, I would have said you are crazy. However, this is the reality we are facing, and it is up to us to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Here are a few helpful hints I’ve found to keep me organized, focused, and happy with my new normal.
First, I recommend investing in a planner that is set up by weeks to keep you organized. Planners are a great way to plan ahead for deadlines, virtual meeting times, birthdays, whatever is coming in the future. Amazon offers a great variety of planners ranging from purse size to ones as big as a desk.
The second is to focus on a routine and stick to it. I wake up, grab a cup of coffee as I start to wake up and clear my head, then I get dressed and get ready to go. I sit down at my desk, check my planner for what I have coming up that day, and the rest of the week, and I make a checklist of about 5 things I have to accomplish by that evening. A big point to make when working from home is that you cannot work 24 hours a day just because you are technically still at your home office. Set a timer or an alarm on your phone to alert you when your workday is coming to a close.
Lastly, it is imperative to do your best to separate church and state. Working from home has its ups and downs, but you have to remember to keep your home feeling like a safe space. Try your best to not sit down in your bed or couch when working. I recommend getting a desk from Staples or Home Goods, or the dining room table can also double as a desk, just try not to clutter it with papers and planners.