As we all know, the past year has come with its challenges, including working from home. From constant distractions to setting new schedules, remote work requires coordination. The following are the five things that no one expects when working from home.
1.There’s Still No Time for Dishes
When the pandemic began, we all assumed that our commute time would be switched out for other productive activities, such as dishes, vacuuming, or organizing. Yet, most of us find ourselves reaching for the remote when we have downtime. On top of that, we are also making more of a mess since our movie theater, office, gym, and kitchen are all in one place.
What can you do?
- Schedule housework into your day, just like any other work task
2. Staying Motivated is a Challenge
At first, working from home sounded like a dream. Wake up, grab your coffee, and jump on the computer at 8 am with your sweats still on. However, over time this habitual pattern leads to a lack of motivation. It’s difficult to stay productive when every day looks the same.
Additionally, a lot of us are starting to rethink whether we are self-motivated people. Now that I have the freedom to choose between walking to the fridge and the computer, I find that I am not as self-motivated as I once thought.
What can you do?
- Work on your self-discipline by setting goals for yourself
- Get into a routine and clear your workspace from distractions
3. Jeans Are Now Part of the “Dress-Up” Wardrobe
Zoom meetings, phone calls, and emails have taken over our business communication. This means that dressing up from the waist down has become unimportant. Gone are the days of putting on slacks, dress socks, and work shoes. Instead, I find myself impressed when I put jeans on in the morning.
What can you do?
- Force yourself to have “dress-up days” to emulate a usual office environment
4. There’s No IT Person to Call
When tech and network issues arise while working from home, there isn’t always a direct person to call. While you can contact apple or call your internet provider, it takes an initial investigation into the issue before any calls can be made. However, this can take a lot of time out of your workday.
What can you do?
- Have a backup plan such as an extra computer or tablet for emergencies
- Invest in a hotspot
5. It Can Be Hard to “Switch Off” Your Work Brain
When you’re in an office, it’s easy to differentiate between work and personal time. Remote work blurs these lines, especially when you know your plans for Saturday at 7 pm consist of watching the newest Netflix show.
What can you do?
- Create a designated workplace, such as an office, table, or specific chair
- Schedule in regular breaks to “switch off”