Due to COVID-19, most people have been asked to work from home. My college has moved classes online for the remainder of the semester, so I’ve been completing all of my work from the comfort of my own room. Living in Manhattan, I don’t exactly have a quiet backyard to work in or fifteen different rooms to choose from; I live with four other people, so space is a bit limited in our apartment! Nevertheless, I’ve found a way to effectively work from home. Here are some of my tips:
Replicate Your Work Environment
At school, I usually studied at my desk in my dorm room or in the library. When I first returned home, my attempt to work outside in the living room wasn’t very successful. I wanted to be around family, but the various conversations and TV news in the background didn’t make for a very conducive study space. I ended up rearranging some things in my bedroom to create a makeshift desk similar to the one I had at college, and this made a huge difference for me. Try to recreate the effects of the environment you’re used to working in. If you had a nice photo set up at work that would comfort you throughout the day, create a similar set up in your workspace at home. If you’re used to studying in groups, arrange a group FaceTime or Zoom call and do your work that way. I’ve found that creating an environment at home similar to the one I was already accustomed to at college helped improve my ability to focus and my ability to work productively. Replicate the environment that you already know you thrive in!
Maintain a Consistent Schedule
With all of the flexibility working from home provides you, it’s very easy to fall into an inconsistent, unhealthy sleep pattern; don’t do it. This not only adversely affects your health but also your ability to produce quality work. If you’re used to waking up at 8 AM for work or college, continue setting your alarm for 8 AM. If you’re used to making a to-do list every morning and laying out all your tasks for the day, continue doing this. Having structure is incredibly important. This continuity of habits and consistency of schedule will help ensure that you stay on top of things and keep up with your responsibilities to the same degree that you had been doing so at work or at college.
Set Aside Time for Yourself
Amidst all the ‘breaking news’ updates and chaos occurring outside of our control, it’s important to remember what you can control and make the best of it. I think it’s important to set your phone aside for a certain period of time each day. I schedule one 10-minute period in the morning and one 10-minute period in the evening. I like reading my New Morning Mercies Devotional after rising and exfoliating with my Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads before going to bed. I find it especially calming to read my devotional these days given everything going on; it gives me a certain sense of peace and reminds me that what we are currently experiencing is only temporary. This period of time will pass, and there are much greater and more important things in life to come. In the evenings, I like to relax after a long day of working by taking the time to focus on my skincare routine. Our skin rests and recovers while we sleep, so it’s helpful to nourish it with the right products before bed. The morning after using the Universal Peel Pads for the first time, I had already seen a difference in my skin. I knew there had to be a reason these have been the #1 peels at Sephora for the past 20 years! The Universal Peels are best for my normal/combination skin. The Ultra Gentle Peel Pads are best for dry/sensitive skin, and the Extra Strength Peel Pads are best for combination/oily skin. After the first few uses, you’ll likely experience some dryness and peeling; this means it’s working! This is the intended effect, as it resurfaces healthier skin underneath for a brighter-looking complexion. I will admit that these are on the more expensive side at $88 for 30 peels, but you’re essentially getting the results of a professional facial peel – which could cost well over $100 for one – with each use. Luckily, to celebrate 20 years of skincare success, Dr. Dennis Gross has launched limited-edition 35-pack reusable tins for the same price of $88. Not only will you get an extra 5 peels, but each tin also includes a chance to win a 1-year supply of peels and a trip to NYC where you can meet with Dr. Dennis Gross and receive $500 towards any treatments at his practice! That being said, if you’ve ever considered buying the peels in the past and were reluctant to do so, now is the time to take the jump and invest.
I hope you found these tips helpful! Please continue to practice social distancing, stay indoors as much as possible, and stay safe. Do you have any tips on how to work from home effectively?
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These are some great tips! I’ll admit, I haven’t been as productive as I would like to have been during this lockdown. I’m having a hard time focusing. I’ve tried to come up with a consistent schedule, but I sticking to it is difficult to do. I never thought to replicate my workspace, that’s a great idea! Will definitely try that out, thanks.
I think everyone’s struggling a bit with productivity at this time, so you’re definitely not alone in that. I hope these tips help you!
These are great suggestions in how to work at home effectively! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you! Glad you found them helpful 🙂
These are really helpful! I find taking breaks from the computer screen to be helpful too, like taking a walk outside 🙂
Taking a walk outside is always a good option for a break – while socially distancing, of course! 🙂
Great tips to help others in being more productive working at home. I agree about keeping sleep a priority. I noticed that when I don’t get enough sleep the day before, I’m not energized or motivated enough to get through my to-do list, which leaves me feeling unsatisfied.
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com
Sleep is so important and is easily taken for granted! I’m glad you liked the tips 🙂
Since so many people are suddenly facing the reality of working from home, I love your handy tips for giving them a hand in staying focused and getting things done. 🙂
Thank you so much!
These are all such great tips for working from home. So important to have a set work space and to stick to a routine!
I’m so glad you liked the tips! I definitely agree that having a set work space and a consistent routine are crucial to success😊
I love all of these tips to work from home effectively! I agree with you – it is important to replicate your work environment. I am trying to get rid of all distractions. It helps a ton! Having a consistent schedule goes a long way. Thanks for sharing all of these tips!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
So glad you liked these tips!
Keeping a schedule is tough these days but I can see the wisdom behind it! Thanks for the reminders
I know it’s tough, but I highly recommend trying to keep a schedule if at all possible!
Reserving time for yourself and making sure you take the breaks as you would at the office/in Uni is so important! We tend to give up too much of our own time to work when the laptop is right there on the kitchen table. I’ve created a little routine to make sure I also get my dose of fresh air: I work the mornings by the dining table, and move my “office” to the balcony after lunch. Sunshine is just the motivator one needs to paddle through the second half of the day. x
Teresa Maria | Outlandish Blog
That’s such a great idea to move to the balcony after lunch! Thanks for sharing your routine 🙂
Yes I agree with setting time for yourself really helps, as sometimes it’s hard to break out of work-mode, especially if you’re working from home! I also love the idea of having a schedule to help you be more organised.
So glad you liked my ideas!
Especially keeping a schedule is helping me so much working from home.
Thank you for sharing.
https://teaspangsberg.com/
Yes, keeping a schedule is so effective!
Having a good schedule can be difficult but its all about finding a good balance. Very interesting post, thanks!
xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com
I agree – balance is very important! Glad you enjoyed reading 🙂
Having a dedicated work space at home that replicates your office is a good idea. I wish I had an extra room to be able to set up a separate work space – I’m working from home at my dining room table! We are expected to start going back into the office a couple of days per week pretty soon. I’m hopeful that the safety precautions will be enough.
I hope the safety precautions will be enough as well! Good luck with returning to your in-person work environment soon 🙂
I’ve been working from home for nearly two years now and couldn’t agree more with your advice. I think the biggest thing for me was separating work and leisure spaces. 🙂
That’s definitely a key aspect of improving productivity at home for me!
Great post!
You have some wonderful tips here
Thanks!