Noah and I have essentially switched roles. For the past 11 + years Noah has worked from home where I have always worked in an office setting. However, with our move to North Carolina, Noah started a new job where he commutes to his office in Charlotte and I am fortunate enough to telework. It's been a big adjustment for the both of us. I definitely don't take it for granted. Teleworking allows our parenting routine to run smoothly in the mornings and afternoons. I am able to get our four kids ready for school/daycare, see them off, and I am home in the afternoons when the girls get off the bus.
Teleworking is definitely not for everyone, but it is quickly becoming a popular option for companies to consider. I believe it is advantageous for both the employee and employer. Some of the benefits include higher productivity, improved work-life balance and reduced costs.
Today, I want to share 6 healthy habits for when you're working from home. These habits have definitely helped me to stay focused and more productive.
1. Develop a Morning Routine - Teleworking takes a lot of extra will power. Since you don't have to commute in the mornings, it may be harder for some to roll out of bed and get into that work mode. With 4 young kids, having a set morning routine is essential for the whole family and sets the tone for the rest of the day. My morning starts early, but usually looks the same every day. My day starts at 5 am, I get a work-out in and it's on to mom duties until the kids are off to school/daycare. I then make a cup of coffee, grab my breakfast and head to my home work space/office to power up the computer. Everyone's morning routine is different. The important part is finding one that works for you.
2. Establish a Work Space - This one is important. Set up a designated area in your home that is not associated with a space you spend time in after work hours. This is good for a couple of reasons. A work space will allow you to be more productive and it will be easier to log off for the day when you physically leave that space for the day. Our new house has an room in the front of the house that I use for my office. My desk is set up as it was when I was in a cubicle, complete with my dual monitors.
3. Get Dressed - One of the perks of working from home is that business attire no longer applies to you, you could stay in your pajamas if you wanted to. However, studies show what we put on influences how we act and feel. My work attire got a lot more casual, but I make an effort to get myself dressed every morning. It definitely affects my state of mind and I feel like my day is ready to start once I put on make-up. Below, you'll see what I wore for my first week of work.
4. Know When to Clock Off - When you work from home and you're focused on a task or project time can sneak up on you. Establish a set time to log off. This can be harder for some. I know Noah had a hard time with this because he used to answer work calls at all hours of the day and night. My hard stopping time comes when all my kids arrive at home. Unless it is a call from my boss, all work matters can wait until the following day.
5. Stay Connected - Working from home can feel lonely at times. I am used to interacting with my co-workers so I take advantage of technology to stay connected. We use virtual messaging throughout the day and I don't hesitate to give my team a call if I have a question or just to discuss a task/project.
6. Take Breaks - Just because you are working from home does not mean you cannot leave the computer screen. Even when I worked in the office, I made a point to get up from my desk a few times a day. I take at least two breaks a day. One for lunch and a quick one in the afternoon. Breaks can recharge you, give you the much needed boost to do better work.
What I Wore
Last week was my first full week of working from home and I decided to log what I wore. My outfits are too casual for the office, but enough to get me out of pjs/sweat pants.
