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WORKING FROM HOME - TURNING OBSTACLES IN TO POSITIVES
Brigitte Kimichik • May 20, 2020
Working from home - Turning obstacles in to positives
At first, the thought might have been daunting—especially if you are not used to working remotely. Will I get anything done? How will I tune out and find some distance and quiet away from my room mates, partner, kids, or house pets? Is there a quiet and isolated space for me to work? Do I have all of the right computer equipment and electronics to work efficiently? If not, will my employer make sure I have what I need to get my job done? Will my environment and neighborhood cooperate when I am making a presentation or giving a report on a Zoom call with a group of people? Will I be disciplined enough to establish a schedule that works for my work requirements? How will my employer know if I am getting my work done or about my successes?
Let’s be real. There are plenty of obstacles depending upon your living situation and your work responsibilities, and as we have seen from those in the media and the entertainment industry on tv, you never know when your favorite kid, dog or noise will emerge unannounced—in most cases, creating a welcome distraction. It is up to you to make it work for your situation and it is important to ask your partner or family for help, especially if you have children.
Setting a strict and regular schedule, will help set expectations for your family and colleagues. Rise and shine at a regular hour, get ready like you would for work, shower and dress in casual nice comfortable clothes in case you are on a Zoom call, set work hours and times for calls, eat regularly, and make sure you are getting some exercise, either first thing in the morning before work, as a break in the afternoon, or as a reward at the end of your work day. Working from home allows you to control your schedule without typical at work distractions—if your environment cooperates.
Whether man or woman, negotiate your schedule with your family, so they know when it is important for you to have quiet time for work and calls and when you are available for social and fun family time. If you and your spouse are both working from home, take turns managing the kids, cooking the meals, and doing house chores. Working from home as a single parent or with a child with challenges, can be especially difficult and stressful. Reach out to your friends and family for help to give you a well deserved break, even if it is to take a bath or to run errands and go to the grocery store.
Call on your employer to help you with technical support necessary to allow you to work efficiently from home. Depending upon your job requirements, you may also need word processing assistance, document pick up and delivery, work supplies, and other requirements. It is in the best interest of your employer to support your productivity and successes while working at home. Find a quiet place to work instead of your bed or couch, set a strict work and break schedule, keep a work to do list with regular check-ins and communications with your team, and minimize distractions (including tv, social media, and phones).
Negotiating these obstacles will help you concentrate more efficiently for a better work product and a happier you. At least you will not have the constant distractions you were having at work. You will have them soon enough—we know you miss them. Worst case, the experience of working from home will have taught you to be a much more flexible employee who can work any time from any where. You will understand why telecommuting is a popular trend.
According to employers, telecommuters are able to achieve a more healthy and happy work-life balance with less stress, tend to work longer hours and more efficiently (without the constant distractions of a work office environment), take less sick leave, and save their employers money on office space and infrastructure expenses. With your new experience, you might have the option to make that change some day!
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