Has Coronavirus COVID-19 forced you to work from home? Are you struggling to strike a healthy balance between your personal life and your work life? Does it all seem to blend together at this point? As an “essential employee”, I’m still headed into the office 4 days a week. But, my hubby has transitioned to working from home. And he is truly WORKING. When I get home in the evenings, he’s still on his work laptop. Trying to wrap up his last bit of work. This could sometimes take a few minutes. But sometimes it’s an hour or more. HIs work just never seems to be “done”. I know this is one thing that can be hard for a lot of people who were just thrown into working from home without warning. So, here are a few tips for truly signing off when you’re working from home.
Get your day started right
It’s helpful to not think of this as “working from home”. Start your day the same way you would if you were leaving the house. Wake up before your kids. Change out of your PJ’s. Your outfit doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something comfortable that you can also be productive in. Studies show that you perform better when you look the part!
Have a cup of coffee. Eat breakfast. Do whatever you’d usually do to get yourself ready for work.
This post gives you a sample of my typical routine (before COVID-19)
Have a plan
You gotta have some structure to your day! The easiest way to be sure you sign off from work on time is to make sure you have a plan. It may be helpful to do this the night before, or first thing in the morning. Block out time for all the work tasks you know you need to get done that day. And stick to it – at least the best you can.
Believe me, I know it isn’t easy – especially if you’re working from home and trying to home school or take care of your kids. But, this makes it even MORE important to have a plan. Set aside time for your kids and their needs when you’re making your schedule. This printable daily schedule can help to bring some order to your day.
Here are tips for successful distance learning and ideas for keeping your kids busy during this time.
Pick the right spot
Set up a specific area in your home where you’ll get your work done. Not your bedroom. Not your comfy living room couch. Have one spot that you dedicate to “work”. That way, you’re more likely to be in “work mode” when you’re in that spot. You’ll end up being more productive. Plus, it’ll be easier to relax in other spots around the house at the end of the day because they won’t be associated with work.
It’s all a mental thing!
Take regular breaks
I know how easy it is to get in the “zone” and so focused on work that you forget to take breaks. But for your own sanity, plan a few breaks in your day. Maybe a break after you finish certain tasks. Or after a certain amount of time. Try scheduling your work in 25-minute blocks, followed by a 5-minute break each time. Even if it’s just to get up, use the bathroom, and walk around for a few minutes – do it!
Don’t be afraid to take a true lunch break. Remember to eat and drink. Go outside. Walk. Run. Exercise. Connect with a loved one. Check on your kids. Take care of yourself. You’ll be refreshed and better able to focus when you get back to work.
Stay in touch with co-workers
If you’re working from home, you may not have a whole lot of adult interaction during the day. I know my hubby is so excited when I get home at the end of the day (and he’s been at home with our 5 kids)! Stay in touch with your co-workers. Call, text, or Facetime them. It’s a great way to get help with work tasks and keep up-to-date with company happenings.
Take time off if needed
Being at home doesn’t necessarily make your job easier. If you get sick or just need a mental health break, don’t be afraid to ask for a day off. Don’t torture through it. You’ll be more productive when you’re at your best.
End your day right
Just like it’s important to start your day on the right foot, the same goes for the end of your day. Wind down your day just like you would at work. Wrap up any outstanding tasks. But don’t try to overload yourself at the last minute. Spend some time planning and prepping for your next work day. Clean up your work space so that it’s ready to go the next day. Completely sign out of your computer. Turn off our work phone. Make yourself “unavailable” (unless you have to be on call or something). Get up from your work space and don’t go back until it’s time to start working again.
Plan some type of fun activity for the end of each day, so that you have something motivating you to truly shift from “work” to “home” mode. It doesn’t have to be anything major. TV show, snack, walk, bike ride, a game with the kids. Something that’s an indicator that your workday is truly done.
Try your best to get enough rest (7+ hours) so that you’re ready to do this thing all over again the next day!
Give yourself a break
Believe me, sometimes no matter how hard you try, your days won’t always go as planned. You may not start out or end the day when and how you want to. It won’t be perfect. This is a crazy time for all of us. It’ll take some getting used to. And, by the time we truly get the hang of it, life may be back to normal. Who knows?
So, try your hardest. But, give yourself some grace. You’re likely juggling a ton of things right now. My main reason for sharing these tips on signing off when working from home is so that you have more time to do what matters most. Your family needs you. Spend quality time with the ones who mean the most to you now – before life gets busy again. Dedicate some time to taking care of yourself. This will (hopefully) be over before we know it!
If you’re a busy mom, I highly recommend grabbing my printable Daily Schedule Template and Sample Schedule to keep things organized during this time. Just drop your e-mail below and they’ll be delivered RIGHT to your inbox.
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