As social distancing mandates escalate in the wake of COVID-19, increasing numbers of professionals have been called upon to work from home. Although working from home certainly has its upsides (No commute! Comfy clothes! No more distractions from your loudly chatting cubical neighbor!), the shift can be surprisingly challenging. Many people have trouble adjusting to the change in routine, and find themselves caught off guard when their productivity takes an unexpected dive. Check out our tips below for making sure working from home doesn’t get in the way of your career:
Don’t Neglect Professional Development – Don’t become stagnant just because you’re at home! Technology has made remote professional development easier and more convenient than ever. Seek out virtual and remote training opportunities online to make sure you stay up-to-date on your professional skills. Want to work on your communication skills? Check out our virtual training, communication workshops, and materials to continue your communication journey from the comfort of your home.
Create a Dedicated Office Space – Working from home can make it difficult to separate work activities from your day-to-day responsibilities and distractions. Setting aside a space in your home exclusively for work can help create some mental distance and make it easier to resist distractions.
Get Dressed – If you aren’t planning to see anyone, it’s tempting to work in your cozy indoor clothes or even your pajamas. But holding to your morning routine can go a long way towards getting into a professional mentality. Each morning, take a shower and put on at least semi-professional clothes before you sit down to begin your workday.
Set Boundaries – Let friends and family members know that even if you aren’t physically going into the office, you’re still maintaining your typical workday and will not be free to socialize during work hours. If you have children or other family members at home and an uninterrupted workday is unrealistic or too difficult, try to set aside specific, pre-determined times to briefly catch up throughout the day.
If you are looking to polish your communication skills be sure to pick up a free copy of my e-book “Communicate with Clarity and Confidence!” by subscribing to our newsletter community on our website. For additional information call us at 212-308-7725 or send us an e-mail at jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com to learn more. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
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