June 22, 2021
Create the perfect balance between work and play.
Striking a work-life balance can be challenging when your home is also your office. However, with a few ground rules and some thoughtful planning, you can find perfect harmony between the two. Here are some basic guidelines for separating your personal life from your professional in a remote space.
1. Maintain a Morning Routine
Working in your pajamas may sound like a great idea, but it can easily throw things off balance. The biggest challenge with remote working is learning how to separate your personal life from business. Maintaining a regular morning routine can help you get in the right mindset. Get ready for work each day as though you were going into the office. If you have trouble sticking to a schedule, home automation can help. With a virtual assistant like Cox Homelife, you can set daily routines to fit your life. Create a daily alarm that triggers your smart lights to turn on and the coffee maker to start brewing. When everything moves like clockwork, so will you.
2. Avoid Working After Hours
Repeat after us: never check work emails after hours. Your work-from-home schedule should have a start and end time. If you’re eating dinner or getting ready for bed, don’t log back into your email. Reserve after work hours for yourself to connect with your loved ones, exercise, eat and decompress. Part of this is learning to say no. If a work request comes in at the end of your day, make it a habit to leave it for the next morning. Setting boundaries is a healthy habit that can help you avoid burnout.
3. Have a Designated Home Office
A good way to mentally stay focused (and check out) of work is to physically keep your workspace separate from the rest of your home. Whether you live alone or in a full house, create a designated workspace with minimal distractions. No, your bed and couch don’t count. Find a room or corner in your home where you can comfortably set up your desk, chair and office equipment. This space should only be used for working and should be an area that helps you focus. When you’re ready to play, step out and unplug.
4. Take Breaks
All work and no play can lead to burnout. Take breaks throughout your day to recharge. Every two hours take ten minutes to stretch, go for a walk or eat a snack. Whatever you choose to do just make sure it’s away from your desk. You can even program a smart home routine to remind you when it’s time to step away from your screen. As a general rule, if you can’t remember the last time you looked away from your computer, it’s probably time.
5. Communicate With Your Coworkers
Just because your coworkers aren’t physically present doesn’t mean you’re alone. If you’re in need of support or just want to catch up with your teammates, reach out. Not every meeting has to be about work. Create virtual happy hours where you can connect with your team and build stronger relationships despite the distance.
