Weekend Writing: Tips for Working at Home During a Quarantine

If you're like the majority of the world's population right now, you're probably working from home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have mandated that their employees work from home in the ongoing effort to minimize the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. While it's a nice thought, in theory, some people are having a difficult transition during this time.

You're used to going to an office. You're used to seeing your colleagues, communicating with others in person, etc. That is your daily routine, and when that suddenly changes, it's unsettling to adjust this schedule. Maybe your home isn't the best place to work. Maybe you have too many distractions. Maybe you don't feel as productive.

If you're struggling right now, just know that it's okay. Everyone is in the same boat as you. No one could have seen this pandemic coming. No one was prepared for it, and no one really knew how to handle it. No one really knows what they're doing right now. We're just trying to take things one day at a time. That's all we can do.

(photo/NPR)

However, I'm fortunate to have a full-time job that allows me to work from home, even without this pandemic. For almost three years, I have been working as a freelance writer. I have clients I work with on a daily basis, where I complete content writing assignments, entertainment writing, etc. I work from home all the time, so I have been handling this transition better than most (in my opinion). Nothing has really "changed" for me, besides the fact that I can't go to my favorite restaurant or a bookstore.

Because I'm used to working from home, I thought it would be useful for me to write a blog post with some tips on how to stay productive during this difficult time. I have learned a few tricks during my experience. Follow these five tips to stay on top of your game.

1. Have a designated workspace. 

(photo/Stanford GSB - Stanford University)

Working from home will look very difficult from your office. You might be used to having a separate room, proper desk, drawer space, etc. Your home might not have these accommodations. You might have a spouse or children who are also home.

It's important to have a designated workspace. Consider moving furniture and re-purposing some spaces so that anyone who needs a place to focus can get it. Clear the clutter and create a space that is yours. Make sure it is comfortable (you'll be working there a lot during this time), and keep it organized. This is your office, but it's also your home. You want to make sure the two don't overlap.

2. Set a routine. 

(photo/Tech.co)

Having a routine is important when you're working from home. It's easy to be distracted by watching television, watching YouTube videos, checking your social media pages, etc. You might sleep longer, take a longer lunch break, and feel less productive.

You need to set a strict routine. You need to wake up at the same time that you did when you worked at your office. If you always exercise before going to the office, continue this routine. Exercise, shower, eat a good breakfast, and then you can start your workday. In addition, don't wear pajamas to work. Get dressed, but it doesn't have to be your professional attire (unless you're conducting a video chat). Get dressed in comfortable clothes, but they shouldn't be your pajamas. You need to maintain a sense of "normalcy," even if you're working at home.

3. Stay focused.

(photo/Time Magazine)

This is the hardest thing to control when you're working at home. There could be thousands of distractions, from your neighbor's barking dog to your children playing and more. It's important to stay focused and work as hard as you would if you were at your office.

You can create focus with the following strategies:

• Closing the door to your office or finding a quiet place to work.
• Wear noise-canceling headphones or listen to music. 
• Avoid social media. 
• Avoid news websites.
• Avoid repeatedly checking your email. 
• Stay off of YouTube (It can be easy to watch one video and then suddenly you've been watching YouTube for hours). 

I know firsthand that it's easy to be distracted while you work at home. I have been distracted, but it only prevents you from completing your tasks at a reasonable hour. You should try to work the same number of hours at home that you worked at the office. If you worked until 5 p.m. at your office, you should try to get your work done at home by that same time. 

4. Take some breaks. 

(photo/Entreprenuer)

While it's important to get your work done on time, it's also okay to take some breaks throughout the day. When you live where you now work, it's important to get out of your workspace at times during the day. Set a timer for a 10-minute break. You can check your social media pages, watch a YouTube video, get up and stretch, go for a walk, etc. This can make a huge difference in your attitude and productivity. However, stick to that timer. Don't let a 10-minute break turn into an hour. 

5. Communicate with your coworkers. 

(photo/Forbes)

It's easy to stay connected with your coworkers when you're working in the same office. If you have a question, all you have to do is walk down to their office and talk to them in-person. But, what happens when you're working from home? It can make communicating with your colleagues much more challenging. You might feel cut off from the rest of your company. 

Instant messaging, community engagement threads, and video-conferencing make it easy to check in with your coworkers. Send emails and let them know your status reports. Let them know you're still on top of your game and completing necessary projects. Making these check-ins a regular part of your day when you're at home adds some structure to your in-home office. You'll still feel like a team, even though you're not physically with your colleagues right now. 

One final tip: Be nice to yourself. 

(photo/Eat This, Not That)

Working at home is difficult. You might still be figuring out what works for you and how to adjust to this new sense of normalcy. It's okay to feel stressed. It's okay to be uneasy about everything. Everyone is in the same boat as you. Everyone is trying to do their best. So, if you're not as productive at home right now as you try to figure out what to do, that's okay. 

Don't get down on yourself because of this. Be nice to yourself. You're probably doing a better job than you think are. You'll finish your work. You'll meet your deadlines. You'll still work just as well as you did when you were working at your office. You just might be slower at first as you make this transition, but you will get through this. 

You're not alone. Everyone knows what you're going through, so it's okay. Have the confidence to know that you will get through this tough stage and find success waiting for you around the corner. You're doing just fine. 

We're all doing just fine. 

-KJL-