Inside this edition: Are 4 useful tips to help you be successful working from home.
Hey y’all. It’s your girl Rainey looking out for YOU – my tribe – the Rainey Crew. I like many of you reading this find myself unemployed during the COVID19 pandemic. Before all hell broke loose I was able to work from home which was something I was accustomed to. However, many of my colleagues and you my global citizens were either not afforded this privilege or never had the need to. It is important to have a suitable environment to work from home and the tools to do so. I have a few useful tips to make sure you can be successful working from home even if there is no pandemic.
Internet Connectivity
The obvious need is a good, stable internet connection. Many of us find ourselves now taking Skype, or Zoom meetings. This uses data bandwidth, and under normal circumstances the kids are not at home watching videos or playing games on their phones or tablets. When trying to maintain a professional environment buffering and losing packets makes for a poor meeting experience.
If you find that you are having difficulty hearing or seeing meeting participants Skype and/or Zoom may not be the problem. You may want to talk to your internet provider about the speeds you are getting on your current plan. Ask if they can upgrade your plan temporarily or permanently.
Define your Space
Whether you live in an efficiency or a four-bedroom home you need to identify a space that is now your “workspace”. If this is in a spare room or a desk in your living space; you must define the space as yours. Do not allow your kids to use this space as a crafting center, or a place to dress their dolls and action figures.
This defined space allows you to do your work without disruption. It acts as an invisible barrier for the little ones that sends a message that when mom and dad are in this space silence is needed. When you walk away from that space your day is over. I know easier said than done, but it takes practice to set limits.
The Tools you Need
Prepare your workspace. Unless you are an elementary school teacher or an artist you should not have crayons on your desk. This is not a kids’ space. Declutter your space by removing unnecessary items, and distractions – focus on the things you need to do your job. If all you need to work is a laptop, pen, pencil, and a notepad then let that be all you keep on the desk. An uncluttered desk clears the mind for new ideas or can help you focus on the tasks at hand. If working from home is going to be for a longer term than this pandemic think about identifying a permanent space, and organizing it to mimic your space at work.
Declutter
A combination of Tip 1 and Tip 2. Remember you may be taking video conference calls in your “defined workspace”. You should also remember to de-clutter the space behind you. I usually take my meetings with my camera off. On the rare occasions that I cannot do that I make sure my space is tidy behind me. If that is not an option find a way to drape a plain flat sheet behind you for a neutral background.
Final Thoughts
These are unexpected circumstance we find ourselves living in. The important part is that if you are reading this you are living. If you are able to work from home you are fortunate, and you should make the best of the opportunity. Your workspace really should not be an armchair or a couch, but if that is all you have then so be it. Do what you can within your means to make that space a productive place. At the end of the day put that separation up and walk away from it.