Raise your hand if you have escaped to the car to take a conference call in silence…ME. How about some tips for working from home?
Let me paint a familiar picture for you. The 2 year old is screaming, because the 4 year old pushed him down and took his paci. The hubs is sitting outside, zoned out on a conference call. I am on the phone with a coworker, making breakfast, unloading the dishwasher, pulling the kids apart, AND debating whether or not to just say screw it and make a mimosa. Or a screwdriver. Or whatever can get me through this hell of working at home with two kids. And that’s not a dig at Ryan. He was in the same exact position the day before.
As concerns for Covid-19 grow, most companies are requiring employees to stay away from the office. And honestly, we all need to be practicing social distancing…looking at you, Spring Breakers. Since a lot of us will be holed up for the foreseeable future, I wanted to round up some of my top tips for working from home. May the force be with you!
WAKE UP EARLY
Before the kids wake up. I’m serious, set that alarm. It will change your life!
STRAIGHTEN YOUR BED
This is one guaranteed way to get your day started off on the right foot. I am also going to pickup the kitchen for 10 minutes before I start my day to create a calmer living space.
SET 3 GOALS FOR THE DAY
This one is huge. And I don’t mean a goal such as “hop on a conference call,” Let’s make the goals SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound). You can also create categories, such as self-care goals, family goals, and work goals. If you love making to-do lists, this cute notepad is for you!
GET DRESSED
Put your pants on, ok? I am telling you…this will change your life. I can’t tell you how many times I have looked at the clock, only for it t be 6pm, and I hadn’t gotten dressed let alone brushed my teeth. You will feel much better and be a lot more productive. Even if it’s loungewear…get dressed!
CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE
And stick to it each day. Wake up at the same time, meditate (love this devotional to kick start my day), straighten your bed, workout, get dressed, feed the kids, etc. Create a reasonable routine and follow it as closely as you can. With that being said, don’t get too stressed if something goes to hell. Simply adjust and pick back up where you left off.
IMPLEMENT A TRUE WORK DAY
Decide on a specific start and stop time (9-5, for example), adding in short breaks and a dedicated lunch break. I love putting up a wall calendar to keep my tasks and to-do list straight.
TIME BATCH
During your dedicated times, make sure you turn off your phone and/or social media, limit distractions, and focus solely on the task at hand. This timer is excellent for batching your work without having to use your phone, which could send you down the rabbit hole of TikTok.
DELEGATE + DEDICATE HOURS
One thing my husband and I are struggling with is that we both have full time jobs that we are trying to do from home, with the kids. Dedicated work hours is the only way this will work. He gets 2 hours, then I get 2 hours. Uninterrupted. Well, that’s the goal at least.
During your off times, delegate tasks that the other person can do, whether it’s homework with the kids or making lunch for everyone. You can’t do it all alone, so start delegating, girlfriend.
What are your working from home tips? Drop them below in the comments below, so can see! We are all in this together. Love ya, mean it.
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