WFH: Certain to be the most popular acronym of 2020
For many people, the COVID-19 Pandemic is the first time they find themselves working from home for an extended period (or maybe ever!).
At Avanceon, we’ve been benefiting from the option to work (part of our work week) remotely for many years. When the Pandemic hit, our entire office shifted to WFH (relatively) seamlessly.I was more than happy to trade in my long commute for more Zoom calls and I was especially grateful to be home with my daughter, whose daycare had closed. I enjoy wearing more casual clothes, listening to music in the background and being away from some of the distractions at the office, while I work. After all, who doesn’t? Come to find out, plenty of people. In a recent conversation with one of my co-workers, I was surprised to find out that she can’t wait to get back to the office. Her reasons… She misses the camaraderie of colleagues, having lunch with co-workers and having a separate and dedicated workspace. She even misses the commute- her designated “alone” time that she used to listen to audio books each day.
In case your corona virus WFH situation is less than ideal, I’ve made a list of some of the things that help me to stay connected, productive and happy while working from home.
Build in a fake commute:
– If you typically listen to music or podcasts while commuting, take some time at the beginning and end of each workday to do the same.
– Read a book: If your drive time was your prime reading hour, crack open a book at home, instead.
Set aside a designated work area and schedule:
– Having a specific place to work, helps you stay more focused.
– Make sure you share your schedule with the people you live with after all, you don’t want anyone running around in their underwear during a video call!
Make time for virtual socializing:
– For lots of people, working from home means working alone. Missing your lunch buddies from the office? Organize a virtual lunch.
– Spend a few minutes after a virtual meeting, catching up with your colleagues, just like you might in the office.
– Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with establishing a routine and your work is suffering, talk openly with your team members and employer. Chances are you’re not alone.
It’s possible (and even easy) to make the WFH situation positive and seamless if you just take a fresh look at the new reality. That’s what I do. What have you done to make the transition to WFH work for you?
Image Source: Freepik