Working in an office compared to working from home can be a big adjustment for many employees! While it may seem like a simple transition, there are many aspects that tend to be overlooked.

To help you find success when working in a new environment, we have some tips and secrets we want to share!

Keep a Routine

One of the most important things to keep in mind when working from home is that you need to keep your same routine as if you were coming into the office.

Although you may want to stay in your pajamas from the night before, this actually can hinder your productivity when working from home!

Be sure to set an alarm and follow your regular morning routine, including getting dressed, eating breakfast, prepping your lunch, etc.

Once you’re ready to start working, list the priorities you need to get done that day. We suggest writing a physical list of items that you can cross out as you finish them. This will help keep you motivated throughout the day!

Another tip is to utilize calendar blocking to plan out your day. Calendar blocking is when you block out certain times to complete projects and tasks. Creating a list can be your first step but setting specific start and end times to your work can help keep you focused.

Of course, don’t feel the need to work straight through your shift. Just as you would in the office, schedule breaks and give yourself time to step away from your duties.

Don’t forget to include planning time when you’re blocking off your calendar.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

Whether you’re home alone or you have family in the house, make sure to have a space dedicated to getting your work done. Being in this space signals to you and your family that you’re working.

We recommend setting up your workspace in a home office or any room with a door. Being in a quiet space allows you to focus and limit background noise.

If you don’t have a room you can utilize, set up at your kitchen table or any other common space with plenty of room to work. However, make sure to limit your distractions, including turning on your TV or doing any household chores.

Distractions can be the biggest challenge when you’re working remotely. To stay focused, avoid any tasks that you wouldn’t normally do while in the office.

If you’re working at home and must share a space with your spouse, kids or roommate, make sure to set a schedule and expectations with them, especially if you have young children that need to be cared for.

Stay Connected With Coworkers

When working from home, you may feel secluded compared to your normal office environment, but this doesn’t need to be the case.

One thing you can do to feel like a part of the office is to share photos of your workspace! Seeing each other’s desks allows you to connect in a new way while still working virtually.

Even if you are working from home, it’s still crucial that you are collaborating with your team members. If your company has the option to utilize tools such as Microsoft Teams or Skype, schedule a quick call every morning to discuss priorities and what’s on everyone’s agenda.

Reaching out to your team each day helps you stay connected and motivated to keep working. Here’s some advice from one of our remote employees:

“Overcommunicate. It's a lot harder to go up to someone face-to-face and ask for something or to follow up with something when you're remote, so making sure you keep consistent lines of communication open can really help make sure nothing slips through the cracks.”

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s temporary or long-term, working from home can be a big transition if you’ve never experienced this type of work environment.

While it may take some time to adjust to your new norm, don’t get discouraged! Everyone adapts at their own rate and sometimes you have to make modifications to fit your particular needs.

If you follow our tips, you’ll be able to fine-tune your remote routine in no time! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on our Facebook page.