If you’ve suddenly found yourself working at home full-time, you’re not alone. As the world reels from the impact of COVID-19, nonprofits and companies everywhere are switching to virtual (and, in some cases, getting to meet their colleagues’ dogs, cats, and kids for the first time!). In honor of the sudden transition, we decided to share some tips our team has been using for managing the switch.
Create a system with cues that help define in- and out-of-office periods.
- “I’ve been trying to take a walk each morning and evening to replace my commute time and provide a boundary for the workday” – Sarah Howard, Senior Consultant
- “I start the day by working out, gets the blood flowing and energy up! My CrossFit is using Zoom so it’s a great way to connect to those peeps who have been so supportive over the years!” – Deneen Bennett, Human Resources Business Consultant
- “I have a hard time unplugging at the end of the day, especially when so much stuff is happening! My commute home was always my time to process and disconnect. I’ve been setting an alarm for myself to logoff and go outside this evening.” – Crystal Hendricks-Kretzer, Director, Marketing and Communications
- “I’ve been cooking a lot! Cooking dinner helps me decompress at the end of the day.” – Melissa McElroy, Strategic Partnerships Associate
Remember to take breaks; it’s important to get up from your desk and move around.
- “I recommend stepping away from your computer 3-4 times a day for 5 minutes, just like you would at the office.” – Joseph Mendrala, Consultant
- “I work 100% from home and like Tabata-style breaks — you work for defined length of time before taking a short break.” – Josh Groll, Customer Success Manager, Taproot Plus
Take care in designing an office space at home that’s tailored to your needs.
- “What’s helped me the most is having a standing desk rig! We just built a Murphy bed, but a stack of books works too. Standing while working helps a ton in staying on task and energized.” – Cameron Barnes, Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships
- “Having an orderly space makes a big difference for me, so I try to keep my desk clutter-free. There are many more visual distractions at home than there ever are at the office, so I pay extra attention to keeping my space tidy before I log in from home. It definitely sparks joy.” – Margaret Dunham, Content Manager
The biggest tip we all agreed on was this: be patient with yourself and honest about what you need. Working from home always takes an adjustment, and what we’re all adjusting to right now is much, much more challenging.
We hope our tips can make your life a little easier!
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