As a result of the coronavirus, more and more companies switch to home office work. As a worker, this may seem like a walk in the park at first glance, but trust us, after a few days when you find yourself buried under your work, you will regret not being stricter with yourself. Working from home is the same as working from the office only trickier – we are going to give you a few tips that will come in handy for you during quarantine, and some mistakes you might want to avoid.
Homeworking surely has its convenient aspects, since you don’t have to leave your apartment. You probably pictured yourself doing something with the computer just for appearances’ sake, because you figured even your boss doesn’t really think that you’re going to get much done right now. Well we’ve got some bad news – you got another thing coming! The home office – even during the coronavirus – is about putting in eight hours a day of concentration, performance, and hard work. Doing so from home has countless hidden pitfalls, so you better be on the lookout!
Family and friends
Do: Make it clear to your loved ones as soon as possible that you are not on vacation. Set clear hours, for example, between 9 am to 5 pm, during which it’s clear to everyone that you work as usual as you would have from the office, and so you don’t have time for chitchats or calls.
Don’t do: Respect the working hours and timetables of your friends and family! Like you, they probably work in a home office as well, so aim for early morning, or better yet evening conversations, and don’t be tempted to contact them during the day. Since this is a stressful time for everyone, a good meme is sure to make them smile, but send these out in moderation.
Bed vs. table
Do: The home office, if you want to avoid unnecessary explanations to your boss, forces you to be organized. So, you need to create a physical “office” where you take your place at exactly 9 am and get yourself into work. We have a great idea: walk around your apartment and look through every corner carefully, as if you would choose an “applicant” for your advertisement of “office for rent in Budapest” for homeworking.
Kitchen table? The fridge is too noisy. Balcony? You can’t see the screen in strong sunlight. Couch? Guaranteed to fall apart. Living room table? A couple of books under the table-leg, and we have a winner!
Don’t do: Don’t even thing about the bedroom, this room is not for homeworking! Wake up in the morning, have your usual routine, dress up in office clothes, and until 5 pm forget that this room exists at all
Desktop workstation
Do: It is vital to create an office-like environment. A table and its four legs aren’t enough to be productive; you need a few extra things: have a socket near you in case the battery of your laptop or cell phone dies; have a place for your notebook or your scedule right next to the mouse. Have some water bottle with you so you don’t have to leave the room every twenty minutes; All folders, books and other things you need have to be within reach. Plan your day each morning, list what you want to do, and stick to it!
Don’t do: If you make video calls, be cautious before your hold them and check the “background” behind you. We know it doesn’t help much, but you’ll be grateful if your partners and colleagues see a plain wall, a modern painting, or a stylish wardrobe, rather than drying clothes or empty wine bottles and beer cans you had piled up during quarantine. Just think about all the jokes made at your expense when this situation is all over, you’ll never hear the end of it.