Mar 202020
I have been working from home pretty much exclusively for much of my life, certainly for the past 25+ years.
To many, it is a new experience. I think I can offer a few useful words of advice. A few lessons I learned.
- Always get up in the morning. Working from home does not mean that you can sleep until noon. Keep a regular schedule.
- Always dress. Do not sit down to work in pajamas or a nightgown. It’s okay to wear clothes such as those half-torn pair of jeans that you’d no longer wear outside. But do dress. Also be mindful of personal hygiene. Working from home is no excuse for stinky breath or smelly feet.
- Create a dedicated workspace. Let your family know that when you are sitting there, you are, in fact, at work. Tell them to respect that and allow you to focus on the work that you do, without unnecessary distractions.
- Indeed, do not let yourself get distracted. Sure, it’s okay to take a break and watch that press conference on COVID-19, or perhaps even watch half an episode of your favorite Netflix show. Kind of like taking a break at the water cooler, chatting with colleagues. But then get back to work!
- Do not consume alcohol while working. You wouldn’t be sipping whiskey, Mad Men style, in the office either, would you?
- Do eat regular meals. Have a lunch break.
- Don’t be a workaholic: When you are done for the day, you are done for the day. Working at home does not mean an obligation to work through the night or through the weekend.
OK, enough patronizing advice. My apologies. Not sure what I was thinking. It’s time for me to get back to work.