Stay on Your Game While Working From Home
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As more people opt to stay home to avoid the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), people of all professions are dealing with a new challenge: how to stay focused while working from home. It can be difficult to move through your professional to-do list when you’re also trying to wrap up laundry, keep an eye on your kids, organize your closet and clean your bathroom!
Fortunately, there are several hacks to make sure you get the most out of your day. Make sure you follow these tips for working from home to stay motivated, focused and productive.
1. Create a Productive Workspace
Designate a part of your home to be your “office.” Even if it’s just a corner of the kitchen table, creating a workspace outside of your bedroom keeps work and sleep separate, which helps you stay more awake and focused throughout the day. If you’ve got no room for an office outside of the bedroom, try facing your station away from the bed, and keep it comfortable, professional and bright.
2. Set Office Hours
Designate official office hours and stick to them, just like you would in a traditional office space. Remember to schedule time for lunch as well! If you have any doctor’s appointments, view them as an “out of office” activity, understanding that they are occurring during your work hours. When you take time spent at the “office” seriously, you’ll squeeze much more out of each day.
3. Look the Part
While this may seem like common sense, anyone who’s worked a day at home understands how tempting it is to postpone the shower and make calls in your PJs until noon, especially if you’re feeling under the weather. Even if you’re not going anywhere, make it a priority to get dressed and ready in the morning as if you were. You’ll feel more awake, focused and professional, which will translate into the quality of your work. That will also make you less likely to crawl back into bed!
4. Keep Personal Activities to a Minimum
It can be all too easy to let everyday tasks and errands get in the way of our scheduled work activities. That’s why it is vital to stay disciplined with your home office! Avoid grocery shopping, sorting laundry or cleaning your bathroom during your workday. If you couldn’t do those activities at your actual office, don’t try them in your home office! When it comes to watching the kids, try to keep them away from your workspace if possible so you can limit distractions, or arrange for another family member to watch them when you can.
5. Schedule in Breaks
There’s no reason for you to be chained to the desk in your home office! By taking scheduled breaks, you keep your energy up and your mind refreshed. Use that time to take walks, check social media or take care of minor household tasks if necessary. Keep these breaks around 15-20 minutes, and be prepared to dive right back into your work when you are done.
Implement these tips for working from home right away to stay focused off-site, whether you’re self-quarantining or working remotely to combat the spread of novel coronavirus. Cheers to keeping productive, safe and healthy!
For more tips, inspiration and advice on how to navigate the real estate industry during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit our Buffini Bonus Resource hub for ideas.
