Tips for Working from Home & How to Stay Positive During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic, many companies from various industries are implementing work-from-home policies. That means lots of employees are dealing with an unusual challenge which is working from home for the first time, full-time. Even if you’ve done it before, working from home because of the coronavirus is different as it might be for an extended period of time rather than a day here and there and it is not yet determined how long it’ll last. This is why we put the following tips which will help ensure that you’re successful, both at getting your work done and at maintaining your mental well-being:

1. Get Dressed

It might seem like a simple tip, but it’s a crucial one. In order to successfully work from home, following your daily morning routine to get ready for work is essential. This helps you mentally get prepared for work and keeps you motivated and productive. A big part of getting ready is changing out of your sleepwear into your work clothes. You don’t need to dress as formally as you might for work, but the simple act of changing clothes serves as a signal that it’s time to wake up and get things done. It helps draw the line between being at work and being at home. It also prepares you to appear on video meetings with your boss and coworkers if applicable.  

2. Designate a Workspace

One of the big challenges when it comes to working remotely is keeping your work and home lives separate. If you’re used to going into an office each day, the separation between work and home is physical, and you want to try to recreate that as much as possible with a designated physical workspace at home. Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room as it can be a corner in a room, but it should feel as separate from the rest of your home as possible. Also, try to make your workspace comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and find a spot near a window with some natural light, so you don’t feel completely tucked away from the world.

3. Communication is Vital

If you don’t usually work from home, chances are there will be some bumps on the road if you have to suddenly go fully remote. The key to get through these bumps is by communicating with your manager and coworkers. Either before you make the switch or as soon as you know it’s happening, come up with a plan that lays out expectations for how often you should check in and how you’ll convey any changes or new tasks to one another. It can be done through different ways such as phone, email, video chat, etc. You might also encounter unique challenges as you try to do your job remotely, which can vary greatly depending on the type of work you do. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the same people you would usually turn to for help. 

4. Don’t get distracted by social media & the news

Distraction is one of the big challenges facing people who work from home. It is normal to get distracted, but you need to be wary of how much you let yourself get distracted. Taking short breaks every now and then is totally fine but make sure you do not get sucked into an activity or house chore that would take a lot from your time. Also, with the current coronavirus pandemic happening, it’s good to stay informed, but it’s also easy to get immersed with all what is going on outside and forget that you’re at work altogether. If you’re someone who’s susceptible to getting distracted, turning your phone notifications off during the workday and limiting the amount you access social media can be useful.

On a lighter note, it is important to always stay positive and hopeful during these unusual times. Look at the brighter side of things by remember all the unforeseen major life disrupters that have occurred in the past and have been endured and made it through. In the meantime, take advantage of the found time to spend more time with your families, pets and taking care of your personal health and well-being, all while maintaining precautions and social distancing of course. Be deliberate in activities that are positive, heartwarming, stress reducing and laughter inducing. This too shall pass!

As always, we are here to help you with any of your Real Estate questions and concerns. Reach us anytime by phone at 416-856-7880 or by email maher@mahertraboulsi.com.