Do you work from home? If so, you’re going to want to read this.
Having been a work from home employee for more than five years now, I have experienced it all. From the challenges of managing in a fluid calendar (early morning emails paired with late night calls), working from home presents different challenges and considerations than a typical 9-to-5.
Whether you’re a virtual commuter or self-employed, ensuring you plan properly, eat right and engage with the physical world around you is key to both your success and mindset.
Trust me. You don’t want to get caught off guard by a video call popping up while you’re still in your pajamas (oh, the horror)! For me, the most important aspect to being a successful work-from-home professional is to plan and communicate everything.
To ensure a holistic view of my life, I sync both my work and personal calendar. When you work from home, work and personal do tend to blur a little, so keeping as much separation as possible is ideal. I find this can only be done through effective scheduling. So set office hours and keep your clients as well as your boss in the know.
When interviewing for my current role, I made it clear that I intended take lunch hours most days, away from my desk as a personal mid-workday break to keep concentration at a high and the mid-afternoon blahs away. This is really important because as many of us know, when your home is your office your hours can spill into your pre and post workday.
In less busier periods I block that lunchtime out completely, but when I am in the thick of things, I always bring my work phone with me. It’s necessary to for productivity, and when I do, I like to walk my coworker (aka my dog), run down the block for a cup of coffee or even throw in a load of laundry. I love having the ability to run errands, make a fresh pot of tea or vacuum my home as wanted. These small breaks restart my motivation, the same as a walk with colleagues or grabbing coffee away from the office would be for many.
Next up, keep your fridge packed with snacks that are easy to grab. After all, making meals midday can eat into productivity. Fresh fruit, crackers and hummus, dark chocolate almond milk, hardboiled eggs and fresh cut tomatoes with cheese are some of my favourites to have on hand for quick bites.
Beyond planning your day well and eating properly, it is important to make sure you have an effective and dedicated workspace. You don’t need an additional room in your home to make this work (although, some employers will require that with a work-from-home contract). I have a desk in my living area faced away from major distractions with plenty of space for my computer, phone, notebooks and headset.
Stay organized and inspired! I suggest setting up shelves with photos, art and air plants or anything else that just feels good. Instead of having the TV on, I like to listen to my favourite artists on my Sonos speaker. The only thing that sets my home office apart from a corporate one is my dog sleeping at my feet and a candle burning!
Working from home can seem exciting and daunting, but the main thing to remember is that it doesn’t change the work you do, just where you do it. If you put in the same passion, care and detail into your responsibilities, you can manage it effectively from anywhere!
Just remember to get away from your desk, interact with the world around you and eat well so that you are in the best headspace to tackle your next project, goal or challenge!
Amanda Bibeau is a Winnipeg-based food blogger who is passionate about affordable food for all and ‘food without judgment.’ Amanda enjoys hiking, exploring Winnipeg's craft beer scene and working her 9 to 5 as a sr. recruiter with RBC.
