Tips for Sharing Space When You're ALL Working From Home
It doesn't stop being your home just because it’s now also your workplace. So how can you and your family, flatmates or partner best manage the work-life integration of ALL working from home?
Having multiple members of the household all working from home at once can lead to distraction, irritation and confusion. But I want to help you all feel calm, constructive and motivated.
If you’re able to work from the home it’s suddenly become more common to do so and I think the habit will remain even after the spread of COVID-19 settles down.
I’ve worked from home full time for about a year, but I was also lucky enough to have flexible employers before that. Along the way, I’ve learned the actions and mindset that just make life easier.
Traps and Tips For New Players at Home.
- Assess your space.
And not in the HR ‘is your desk ergonomic?’ kind of a way (although that matters too).
- Is the space you have decided to work in clutter-free?
This is your chance at a fresh start, so even if your desk at work was a clutter-bomb don’t set yourself up for that at home. Clear it off, clean it up and create a pleasant space to do work without distraction.
2. Shut the door!
Working at the kitchen table may seem okay until someone else is home too.
- Talk to your family or housemates about who will work where and when.
It might be that you designate one of the bedrooms as the ‘phone call’ room.
Consider investing in a sit/stand desk that can be moved to another area of the house, or a portable laptop table. This creates a flexible working arrangement within a small space.
3. Will you please shut up!
You probably don't normally work with the people you live with. So you'd be in completely different conversational habits with colleagues compared to those you share your home with. An open conversation is needed to decide what you all need to do to manage your workloads from home.
- You may decide on a headphones / no chatting policy, or have a small speaker with deep focus music playing to distract from clicking keyboards.
4. Take a lunch break together.
The smell of food can be distracting.
- It’ll make it easier to eat healthily and clean up if you do it together.
- Connect and check-in with each other to discuss your needs for the afternoon before getting back to work.
- Set a time to ‘clock off’ when family or ‘home’ time recommences.
5. Distractions are everywhere.
What will you do about the washing? the cleaning? I have a routine on a Sunday night that sets me up for a better week.
- I do a quick clear of clutter around all visible surfaces of the house and I do a couple of loads of washing. That way I can’t use those things as a distraction.
- I do a quick meal plan and order groceries to be delivered on Monday.
6. Use a time tracker or to-do list.
That way you can see what you've achieved in your day or be ready to share with your leader or others in your team. There are plenty of articles on the best tools to use to manage your time and track your work activities.
- I recommend splitting your day into blocks of activity. Work out when you are most productive and use that time wisely.
7. Take advantage of ‘no commute’.
No, not by sleeping in! (well, maybe a little).
- Start and finish your workday at times that suit the work you need to get done. That might mean you can go to an exercise class mid-morning, do an online yoga class or go for a morning walk.
- Maybe you can take advantage of the gym being quieter at other times of the day. Be vigilant with your hygiene at the gym, wash your hands before you leave and after you get home.
8. Sunlight matters. You need light to regulate your mood so don’t be a complete hermit!
- Regular fresh air and exercise will help you sleep better.
- Shower every day, get ready for the day the way you normally would.
- Wash your hands, don’t eat over your keyboard, and encourage everyone in your household to do the same.
- Bad habits are catching — as is an illness brought into the home. So wash your hands as soon as you return and avoid touching your face and nose.
9. Consider workspace alternatives.
- Mix it up where you can, can you work on your balcony or in your garden?
- Can you visit a shared space like a library, can you get together at another friends house for the day? (but not appropriate when social distancing is recommended, remember your self-care and hygiene regime).
10. Keep fresh and inspired during the day.
- Get up each hour and move around.
- Have a clean and clutter-free workspace.
- Read useful articles on medium (set a timer if you're prone to over-scrolling).
- Take an hour to listen to a work-related podcast, you could even do this on your morning walk.
- Do some research, read a book for an hour.
- Read up about the best ways to run meetings online and try out different techniques.
- Avoid too much news, it can send you into a negative or paranoid spiral. Use a journal and take a regular ten-minute mediation break.
Need virtual support to work from home or to stay motivated to reach your goals? I have lots of ideas about how to tackle problems differently. If you need support to establish your best practice work from home habit then check out online subscription coaching or book in a free intro call.
Stay well and be kind,
Jo
