Remote Work Tips

[Katerina Schadrin]

- Who is also working from home?

- Me...

It can be so stressful sometimes.. I've been there 

First, let's set the stage.

Picture this: You're in your PJs, a bowl of cereal in hand, and the couch beckons you with promises of comfort.

Tempting, right? But here’s the deal – your couch isn't the productivity booster you think it is. Your back will protest, and your focus will wane. Instead, carve out a dedicated workspace. Even if it's just a corner of your living room, make it your productivity haven. Trust me, your couch will understand.

Now, about your attire – yes, PJs are comfy, but they’re also the gateway to nap land. Dressing for work, even at home, flips a mental switch that says, “It’s go time!” You don't have to don a full suit, but at least swap those PJs for something that doesn’t scream “I woke up like this.”

Speaking of waking up, set a schedule that works for you. No commute means more sleep, but resist the siren call of sleeping in till noon. Find your peak productivity hours and plan your work around them. Think of it like timing your coffee intake – too early and you crash, too late and you’re up all night.

Let’s not forget about goals. Aimlessly wandering through your workday is a recipe for distraction. Set clear, achievable goals for each day. It’s like being on a treasure hunt, but instead of gold doubloons, you’re after completed tasks and the sweet satisfaction of a job well done.

And now, a joke to lighten the mood: Why don’t remote workers get stressed? Because they can always hit the “mute” button on life’s distractions! (Just kidding, it’s not that easy – but close!)

One more thing – don’t neglect your team. Staying connected with colleagues keeps the isolation at bay and can spark some great ideas. Virtual coffee breaks or quick check-ins can work wonders for your morale.

Finally, be kind to yourself. Working from home isn't about being a 24/7 work machine. It’s about balance. Take breaks, stretch, breathe. And yes, leave the household chores for later. They’re not going anywhere, but your focus might if you start doing laundry mid-project.

So, here’s to mastering the home office, one focused, dressed-for-success, goal-setting day at a time. Let’s make working from home not just a necessity, but an art form.

Based on Raymond Chiu post at https://standuply.com/blog/stay-focused-work-from-home/

[Barbara Szczesniak]

I've been working from home for almost 4 years now. I manage to get up 90 minutes before I start work every day and shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast, before proceeding to my desk in our guest room. It really does help get me into the work mode. The lack of commute actually helps too, as I was often in no state of mind to start working after a long drive in horrible traffic.

It sometimes seems odd to me that I don't think to throw laundry in during the day. 

One thing your article made me think about: I've gone out for lunch once in 4 years—even though there are 2 restaurants in my neighborhood. I'm going to try to make an effort to do that once a month.

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

I started WFH full-time in 2019ish.  During the Pandemic I moved my entire company to a remote workforce, closing our corporate HQs.  I'm not going back.

I did however, create a new Corp HQ at my house, by taking over an entire floor, (We are empty nesters, had plenty of space), not only is my home office an entire floor, I also removed the staircase between the two (I do plan on installing a batpole, eventually), this forces me to get dressed each day, leave my residence, go outside, walk to the other entrance, and enter my office.  So while it's only a few dozen steps, I still have a commute.

[Antonio Rodríguez _Deiser_]

This is a cool thread!

What I find best about a healthy remote work is being able to work from different locations. Wait, I'm not speaking about working from the other part of the world, but from a different part of the house. 

I love having breakfast in the kitchen while answering some emails. 

[Stephen_Lugton]

And when you take a break, get out, get fresh air, change you scenery totally - make it a break not just a trip to make another coffee.