Creating a Strategy for Working from Home

Harald Siefkan
Electrical Design Specialist

With COVID-19 restrictions closing most offices, many of us had a few months trying to navigate working from home. By now, some of you may have returned to your place of business, and while I am sure it has changed quite a bit to the way things were prior to COVID-19, it is different than working from home. 

I am not going to talk about the technical challenges or the furniture and space required of setting up a home office. There have been many great articles written about this and chances are you read them when you first started working from home.  I want to discuss how working from home has been for you, what challenges it has brought up, and possible ways of creating a better experience for you now and in the future. 

Let’s start with one of the obvious differences: Distractions. I am home. My wife or partner is working on his/her own project and occasionally needs my input or wants to share his/her thoughts. What is the BIG deal, right? What about having your kids run around? They are likely home as well and expect to be entertained. Throw in a dog or a cat, and calls from friends and family since they are not working and seek your attention.  And of course, one of the biggest distractions – ME.  When I’m at home in my own space, “I get to make tea or coffee whenever I feel like it, have a snack here and there, make lunch, watch a bit of TV (just one Netflix episode…), or listen to music or the radio. Oh yes, then there are all these other chores I have on my to-do-list. Why not do some of them since I feel like it and taking care of the garbage only takes a few minutes anyway, right?” In other words, working from home can create the perfect storm when it comes to distractions. It can be difficult to get any work done.  

Are you someone that is getting easily distracted and pulled away to other tasks and opportunities? Or maybe it is the other way around for you? Let’s take a look at that. 

While you are typically focused and disciplined at work, meetings and interruptions are frequent.  Perhaps working from home is a blessing in disguise. “Finally, I can concentrate on my work without anything or anyone getting in my way. Hey, I might even work 10-hour days. My plate is so full that I could use that extra time to clean up my backlog.” Speaking for myself I can get so focused that all of a sudden, I missed a meal or two, being far away in la-la land and hardly approachable. Being in the zone and deeply concentrating can provide a great amount of satisfaction, however, over a period of time there is a good chance that fatigue and tiredness sets in, if not even burnout.  
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Finding Balance 
Working from home can be a wonderful thing for both, you and your employer If you can find a way to balance both work and your personal life.  Getting sufficient work done to keep your project moving forward, to show good performance, and taking time for yourself, your family, and your friends. Here some ideas you can think about. Answer these questions for yourself. Make a plan, and do your best to stick to it. Present your plan to your loved ones and/or negotiate with them to create a win-win for everyone. 

• When do I start my work in the morning? Everyone is different and while some people like to get up early, others like to sleep in. No matter what, make sure you do get enough rest at night. 

• When do I stop working in the afternoon or early evening? This can be a balance between getting a certain amount of work done and working a 40-hour week. Sometimes, when being in the middle of a task it makes sense to complete it. Other times it might be best to stop earlier or on time. It can really help to set daily and weekly goals as long as they are specific, achievable, measurable, and realistic. If you find yourself going over or loosing time frequently, set an alarm or a reminder that helps you to stay on plan. 
• When do I take breaks? Plan your breaks and if that does not work for you, look at other ways to have at least one longer and two shorter breaks during the day. Working from home can be a very lonely place. Go for short walks, take a few deep breaths, stretch, socialize, spend time with your family, or call a friend. This is a time to nourish your body and soul and relax your mind.  
• What do I eat throughout the day? Meal planning and preparation ahead of time can be a smart way to cut down on the rush having to cook and it can ensure you get to eat something nutritious rather than just something fast and easy. By the way, eating slowly and mindfully allows your body to absorb nutrients way better than wolfing it down or trying to keep working while eating your meal. It also keeps you sharper and more energized throughout the day.  
• What if others keep interrupting and distracting me? The best way is to have a separate space where you work from home and be able to close your door. If that is not available to you, try to do the next best thing. As mentioned earlier, your plan will only work if all involved can keep to the agreements. If the current ones do not work, re-negotiate. 

What are your biggest challenges around working from home and how you have been able to make this work for you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out through the Contact form.  ​​