From time to time, it becomes necessary to work from home as a result of:

• Transport issues - breakdowns and strikes;
• Weather related incidents - particularly in the winter, floods, storm, snow;
• Health related - illness, especially the current risk of infection from coronavirus and the need to self-isolate;
• Environmental - restricted or limited access to your normal office location, damage, refurb etc.

Whether this is an option for you on a permanent, part-time or occasional basis, it's useful to make this, planned or unplanned opportunity, work for you.

Your working from home - office

Create an “office”.  If you don’t have one already – clear a space to work in. Preferably a permanent space, such as a spare room, otherwise the kitchen or dining table or the corner of your living room with enough space to set up your laptop, scheduler, files etc.

If you regularly work from home, it’s better to have a more permanent space where you can have everything you need to hand without having to clear things away all the time as well as a suitable desk and chair to work from. Lying in bed or curled up on the sofa isn't a suitable position - at least not for an extended period of time.

What could you do to improve the environment in which you work?  Keep papers in files and folders that you can put away at the end of the day.  Have clear space around you as you work.

Keep to office hours. While you can be flexible with your working day don’t be tempted to blur the lines between home and work life too much. By all means take breaks during the day, to have some ‘home’ life, or time to get chores done, but place a time limit around these. Set a fixed start and end time to your home working day.

Technology - use apps such as Skype, Facetime and Messaging to keep in touch with people back at the office. Plan virtual meetings with colleagues and clients to stay connected. Bandwidth can be an issue if you need to download large files, so check this first, if it's an issue.

Have the tech and apps you need installed and in the right place for when you need it. Power cables, chargers, software. Cloud technology makes it so much easier to work remotely and flexibly, while still maintaining security.

Boundaries

'Go to work'. Switch from home to work mode by getting up and dressed and into a work mindset rather than lounging around in your PJs all day - tempting as it might be. Even if you're in a relaxed, comfortable clothing rather than your usual business attire.

Use returning home the school run as 'the start' of your workday or even take a morning walk around the block to 'the office'. When you get back it's work time. If you're already at home when you start work, you're more likely to drift into work.

Set boundaries around your time. Use voicemail or switch off your 'work' phone of office hours. Just because you're working from home doesn't mean you have to answer the phone for work related calls or answer work related emails outside of working hours.

Avoid the habit of working all hours - late into the evening or on weekends just because your office is at home, only a few feet away and you can just ‘pop in’ to check emails or respond to a call.

Set boundaries with the people in your life. It can be challenging if other people are around you when you're working from home, whether this is your partner or children. If you’re in your 'office' space – you are working. If you get distracted, take a complete break and then get back into work mode.

Be mindful of their needs too. They may expect you to be more involved. Explain when you can and can't be disturbed and when you need space, time or some peace and quiet.

Be flexible

Unscheduled 'drop-ins' by friends or relatives can be a disruption, welcome or otherwise. Politely tell them you're working or take and unscheduled break but let them know it's not always convenient to stop and you will need to get back to work.

If there are younger children around, they don't understand that you're not there to play or give them attention. Work in short bursts so you can spend time with them and still be productive.

Set your boundaries in the beginning and it will make it easier for everyone.

Plan and organise

Structure your day. Plan and organise your day as you would if you're in the office. Prioritise your tasks and plan when you're going to do them. You'll stay more focused and motivated throughout the day when you know what needs to be done.

Plan ahead - make sure you have the things you need when you're working from home. Access codes, logins, documents, files etc. Advise clients, customers and colleagues that you'll be working from home, how and when they can contact you.

If you can set things up in advance, so you can work from home at short notice if need be, without finding yourself unable to access what you need or limited in what you can do because you're unable to get to the office.

Further Resources:

View the Facebook Live sessions on my Facebook page and other blog posts relating to working from home:

Working during lockdown

Take time to ease out of lockdown

Achieve a work life balance working from home (Compare The Market)

Create a Healthy Productive Workplace At Home (Cotswold Co)

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