My 5 tips for working from home. (with a little difference)

As a consultant, I have become very comfortable working in different locations, using technology to connect with people and maintaining appropriate levels of communication. However, I have always struggled with maintaining an appropriate work/life balance ratio when working from home.

With the increasing social and corporate isolation imposed by world events of the #coronavirus / #COVID19, I have been contemplating my dilemma, "how to maintain a balance when working from home?"

My problem is that I simply can't stop when I work from home. I am either thinking about work, doing work or feeling guilty for not doing work. Clearly this is not sustainable in the current environment, where I find myself now - always working from home.

To solve my dilemma, I have done some research, read some articles and the hundreds of LinkedIn posts on the topic, and converted the knowledge and ideas into something that works for me. Having tested this formula for the last 2 weeks, I have been very surprised and pleased with the results, which is why I am keen to share this with my network, hoping you might benefit as well.

I strongly believe that nothing happens without a plan (or a schedule). It's important to create one so you can hold your self accountable to it and let others around you know what is going on. So, in the words of @nike "Just do it".

My five points of what to include in your schedule:

Do FAMILY time and activities

Come up with some ideas, activities to do with the family. Let them know this is what you are thinking and schedule some mutually acceptable time. If you can't be together in one place, use technology to connect. Try Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or my new favourite HouseParty.

Do WORK in a defined space

Create a place that is dedicated to working. When you enter this space imagine that you are entering the office and when you leave the space, imagine that YOU ARE LEAVING WORK.

By working from home, my productivity is automatically increased by the time saved of not travelling. I tend to take smaller breaks and spend more time focused on the tasks at hand. These are huge productivity gains which I acknowledge and therefore feel good about my work contribution.

If you find yourself unemployed or temporarily unemployed during these difficult times, do some volunteering. Human beings need to be productive, we need to feel a sense of contribution to society, to our family or ourselves. So if you have time on your hands, even if you are working, volunteer for something. There are are many opportunities to volunteer remotely.

Do SOMETHING for OTHERS

Reach out to someone who is less fortunate than you. Give them a call, skype/facetime or WhatsApp them. You will be surprised how good that will make you feel.

Do SOMETHING for YOU

To stay sane, productive and creative, I had to do something different. Something for me which makes me stop thinking about work. I tried a few different things before I found what worked for me.

My schedule currently includes getting up at 5.30am each day and doing 90 minutes of Yoga with a friendly instructor on Youtube. This helps me re-focus. I also subscribed to Amazon Audible and have listened to some amazing books. I listened to this great book called The Resilience Project, by Hugh Van Cuylenburg, it offers some great advice about what really matters.

CONNECT with a colleague

I have a long list of people in my network that I have met along my corporate travels, I regularly make a mental note to reconnect, see what they are up to, just give them a call and say G'day, but for one reason or another - never have the time.

So while working from home, I now connect with at least one person from my corporate past per workday.

In summary and in the words of @Nike - "Just do it"

Create your own personal schedule, try a few different things that work for you, but above all - do something and in the words of Bob Newhart control those bad habits and thoughts

If you have a great suggestion, please post a comment, would love to hear other ideas.