During these troubling times, a lot has changed very quickly, including how we work. If your workplace has transitioned its staff into remote offices and you’re working from home, you may be unsure how to best work in your new environment. Here at Frontdesk, most of our team works remotely, and we’ve gathered the best tips to optimize your work schedule, minimize workplace distractions, and stay alert and healthy throughout your day.
Create a Schedule, But Be Flexible, Especially with Kids at Home
“Make a plan for the day, but understand that part of working from home is flexibility, so be prepared to make changes to your plan when your kid needs attention,” recommends Jenn Mason-Cammorato, Revenue Manager. If you have a set work schedule that you’re taking from your physical office to a remote one, you need to remember that your work environment is going to change at home, and you’ll need to be flexible. Get ready to experience new office distractions and disturbances, whether it be your child that needs extra attention or sharing a home office with your partner.
Be Active
“Get up and stretch/move – just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t work out,” says Ashley Johnston, Marketing Specialist. Every once in awhile, it’s good to get away from your computer and get moving. Though you may not be able to go to the gym, you can still go for a walk around your neighborhood or exercise in your home. Even stretching for a few minutes can make you feel more energized and ready to give your work 100 percent!
Split Up Your Day
Don’t try to get everything done at once. David Tock, Market Development Manager, recommends the hour-interval program. He says, “The day can seem very disjointed and slow, so I generally try to do 45 minutes of constant email and phone calls, then use 15 minutes of every hour to completely get away.” During your break, you can listen to music, talk to a friend, check social media, or do anything else you enjoy.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Rachael Fields, Guest Experience Team Training Manager, suggests “open communication with the rest of the team; over-communicate to avoid confusion with text and be mindful of text tone of voice.” Any time you’re working as a team, clear communication is key, but staying in touch when you’re physically apart can be a challenge. Use the tools available to you, like Slack, Google Hangouts, and email, to connect with your team. Always take your time to craft a clear message before hitting send so your words are not misconstrued.
Let Others Know When You’re Working
Avoiding distractions can be difficult enough when you’re working from home. But, if your family members, children, or roommates are also home (and most likely they are), staying productive can feel impossible. Jaymie Raatz, Human Resources Manager, recommends that you “communicate your schedule and priorities to anyone else in the house, so they can avoid distracting you.” By communicating openly with them, your housemates will respect your boundaries and, hopefully, not distract you when you’re working.
Transitioning to remote work can be difficult, especially if you’ve never had to work from home before. But, take it from the experts here at Frontdesk, it’s not all that scary! By using the tips above, you can remain productive and strike a better work-life balance.
