Now that so many of us are working from home, I thought it would be a good idea to pull together a list of tips for making the most of it - as suggested by our team. I’m Nick, the Marketing Coordinator for Yarris and I know first-hand how working from home can be a big transition for those of us who hadn’t really done it before. Here at Dazychain, the team have worked on and off from home since Yarris was founded, twenty-five years ago. Many of the team have refined (or interesting!) techniques for getting the most out of those precious hours. Earlier this week, I jumped onto Slack and worked with everyone to compile a list. Enjoy!
Nick – Marketing Coordinator
Going for a walk before or during my day is a way I like to clear between my ears. I’m lucky enough to have a needy dog who makes strange, desperate noises when I haven’t walked her yet, which is always a good motivator to get me out the door and grab some vitamin D. Even something as simple as doing some push-ups when I’m thinking something over can help my mind move in a different direction.
Since my office is east-facing I get the morning light, but the afternoon is lacking a little. My way around this is keeping an eye on when the room is even close to feeling gloomy and lighting a candle and/or turning a lamp on.
I leave the room I work in for at least an hour once the day is finished. A more subconscious one I’ve been trying recently is wearing socks and (clean) shoes while I’m working. As though I had been coming home from the city after a long day, I get the satisfaction of taking my socks and shoes off at the end of the day.
I don’t have anything distracting on my desk (besides snacks). If I’m doing anything involving reading or writing, then no podcast, audiobook or anything that needs attention.
Edwina - Account Manager
I LOVE a to-do list! I have a planner on my desk and the first thing I do in the morning when I start work is to write out my meetings and my tasks that I need to get done. I kind of dabbled in bullet journal techniques for a while, but it wasn't 100% my style. It seriously only takes 3 minutes but makes me so much more focused.
The 90/20 rule: 90 minutes of really focused time, then a 20 min break (this may be as simple as moving onto a less "brain draining" task).
Clear start and end times to your workday. I think it is super important to have really firm boundaries around the different segments in your life. Be super productive 8.30-4.30 and then be super present in the other areas of your life. Much more refreshed and switched on for each element of your life.
Dumbbells next to the desk so you can do some bicep curls or something during long meetings when you don't have to talk much.
Remember to just Slack a work friend to talk about something un-work related purely to keep in touch and chat.
Pack away work things at the end of each day, or at least tidy up so it is a clear sign you have finished, and it isn't messy and there in your face.
I'm loving cooking roasts during this winter and am loving being home to turn the oven on to heat up for the final hour of work - we eat dinner at 5:30pm so it's a real luxury having a hot roast mid-week.
I am really enjoying walking up to do the day care pick up as it is a good chance to get outside and decompress with a dose of fresh air before picking up the kids. I've found I go slightly mental if I don't have a clear break between finishing work and switching into mum mode, I feel frazzled and not nice.
And finally - my husband has a zoom call with his work mates every day at 4pm. They have it in their calendars and chat for like 20 mins and it seems to do them a world of good. They used to work out together every lunch time so this way they can still chat and socialise.
Natalie – Operations Manager
I’ve set up my dog’s bed right next to my desk for company.
I have a dedicated space that I shut the door of on Friday and don’t open again until Monday (Except to vacuum).
Heidi – Head of Marketing
I schedule a walk to get away from the desk and refresh during the day.
My wife is on the telephone regularly as part of her role, noise cancelling headphones are great at blocking it out and getting me back into the focus-zone.
I bought a fold-out table so that I can work from different areas of the house, or even on the deck if it’s nice out – it’s been great!
Katherine – COO
I go to the furthest room in the house so I can avoid all distractions – and the temptations in the fridge!
Ian – CEO
I take a break every hour or so and do some push-ups and lunges.
We may not be in the easiest times right now, but there is a lot we can do to make it more bearable. Stay safe!