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Making the Transition from the Office to Telecommuting
Many things have changed for businesses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including companies moving their employees from the office to their homes to work remotely. While telecommuting certainly has its advantages, it is an adjustment that does require some getting used to.
With that being the case, Artesian took some time to create a guideline on how to transition from working in the office to working from home. You thought working from home would be a breeze, but between schooling your kids, doing laundry, and a barking dog, working from home has become a challenge. Here are some simple changes to help you keep your sanity and get some much-needed work done.
Stick to Your Schedule
Telecommuting means you’re working from home, but could occasionally be required to attend staff meetings, go see a client, and reside within the same region or area as your workplace. Yet, with COVID-19 shutting things down, you’re likely spending more of your working hours at home. Now is not the time to think of yourself as on vacation.
Sure, you’re doing more work from the couch, but so are your co-workers. To avoid sleeping in late and getting your sleep schedule off track, stick to your normal routine as if you were going to the office or planning a meeting for the morning. Go to bed at a reasonable time and get up when your alarm goes off. If you exercise in the morning, do that as well, then shower and get dressed as if you’re going to the office. This way, you’re motivated and ready for whatever the Monday through Friday workdays bring, even from your couch.
Create a Home Office Space
Having a home office space can be essential, especially when trying to limit distractions and while practicing social distancing. Working from your bed or couch might seem like a cozy idea, but that also means your quarterly budget meeting on Zoom can be heard throughout the house, and anything in your house can be heard by all of those on the call. Transitioning to a telecommuting position requires a designated spot, whether it’s an actual home office or a corner of your bedroom with a desk and your computer.
Having a dedicated workspace will also ensure that you can still keep your work and home life somewhat separate. Without it, you might find yourself with office files and papers all over the house, or worse, being colored on by your toddler. Designating a space will ensure that your family understands that when you’re in there, it’s for work, not for socializing or playtime.
Put the Phone Down
Telecommuting means over-communicating with your team and co-workers is essential to getting anything done, especially during quarantine. However, it’s easy to keep the phone in your hand 24/7 and feel like you have to be “on” all the time. Your cell phone might double as your work phone, making it that much harder to put it down. But it’s essential to your successful transition from the office to telecommuting that you find time to put this device down and be with your friends or family.
If you need to, designate some time in the mornings and evenings where you don’t use your phone. You can also take time out of your afternoon to go for a brisk walk or play a game with your kids. Either way, having time away from your home office will make the transition to working remotely that much easier.
Stay Hydrated
Staying at home and drinking enough water can be a challenge, especially with a million things demanding your attention. To make your telecommuting transition successful and to keep you at your best, stay hydrated. At the office, you occasionally get up and get water, chatting with co-workers at the water cooler. At home, there are no water-cooler conversations to be had, which can make staying hydrated a challenge.
If you have to, set physical reminders to get up and rehydrate. Staying hydrated and drinking water throughout the day can keep you focused and help stimulate your brain. The walk to the kitchen is also a good reminder to get up and move your legs.
Drink Artesian!
Keeping your employees hydrated is essential to keeping them healthy. If you still have staff members in the office, give them something cool and refreshing to sip on as they work. Artesian bottleless water cooler systems are designed to filter out sediment, bacteria, and viruses that are commonly shared in the workplace. To find out if one of our systems is right for your office, contact us today for a free trial.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jacky Chiu on Unsplash