Due to COVID-19, working from home is inevitable for many people. For a number of employees, the experience is not only new, but also one filled with uncertainty about communication, work practices, and even “workplace” attire.
The pros, of course, are very clear: maximum flexibility, unquestioned autonomy and a commute that consists of walking down the hallway or a flight of stairs. The cons? It takes practice and requires a significant amount of self-awareness, discipline and laser-like focus.
All of us at Hyde Closet have experience with working from home. We tapped into this collective experience and came up with five mistakes that you should avoid at all costs when working from home:
1. Working in pajamas
The most productive people don’t wake up and instantly start working while still in their pajamas. Instead, they get ready for the day the same way they would if they were heading into the office — which, yes, involves dressing up in presentable clothing.
While the thought of working in your sweatpants might sound nice, your pajamas will fail to get your mind into “work mode.” According to a study from Northwestern University, employees, no matter what profession they’re in, perform tasks better when they wear clothes that have “symbolic meaning.”
Also, looking well-groomed and presentable will save you from the hassle of rushing to get ready each time an impromptu video meeting comes up.
2. Working from the bed or couch
Having a designated workspace is something I cannot stress enough. There is no one-size-fits-all setup that works for everyone. It will take some trial and error to find a workspace layout that supports your needs, but the key is to recreate your “workstation” vibe from the office. You don’t even need a private room; it can be a designated area in your home — far away from the bed and couch, if possible — that basically says: “NO RELAXATION ZONE.”
Consider investing in a comfortable office chair (which you can get for less than $45) and a desk large enough to fit your stuff (i.e., external monitor, printer, keyboard and mouse, file cabinets). Some companies allow remote employees to expense these items, so check with your supervisor.
Lighting also makes a huge difference. Studies have found that cooler lights make workers far more productive. Move your workspace closer to the window if you get plenty of natural sunlight; not only is it easier on the eyes, but research has shown it can decrease depression and improve mood, energy and alertness.
3. Going dark
Even on the slowest days, successful people who work from home always make it a point to overcommunicate.
As someone who has managed a team from home for several years, making sure everyone takes part in the conversation about what they’re working on, progress reports, as well as their concerns and issues, gives me peace of mind. It ensures that nothing gets lost in translation and that no one feels neglected.
You don’t have to be constantly checking and replying to emails. At the very least, have regular check-ins with your manager and team — through Slack, phone calls, emails. Get out of your comfort zone, talk about your goals for the week. Ask for — and give — direct feedback.
Treat it as a casual update, rather than a formal meeting. It will also help you build more sustainable relationships with people you work with.
4. Neglecting health
When you aren’t in the office, there’s usually even less physical activity. No walks to the conference room, no coffee runs with coworkers, and no walks to the proverbial water cooler.
There were countless times when I’d find myself with back pain and numbness in the legs because I’d been sitting for hours straight, without even realizing it. Even if you’re a frequent exerciser, sitting for excessively long periods of time can be a risk factor of early death, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. But there’s good news: researchers found that people who sat for less than 30 minutes at a time had the lowest risk of early death.
Make it a point to carve out time throughout the day for take walks. There are also apps that allow you to set walking goals to ensure you’re moving an adequate amount, like Stand Up! The Work Break Timer, Randomly RemindMe and Time Out.
5. Not creating structure and boundaries
It’s easy to get distracted by personal matters when you’re working from home, because you’re so much more accessible to people outside of your worklife.
To prevent distractions from disturbing your workflow, you need structure and a consistent schedule. The easiest way to do this is to create a to-do list for each day. It should include very specific, measurable and achievable tasks. You may need to adjust tomorrow’s list depending on what you get done today.
Maintaining structure also means setting boundaries. Of course, there are a few exceptions, such as if you’re a single parent with a newborn. But for the most part, be clear with your partner, friends or those you live with about your work schedule. Consider setting a “Do Not Disturb” window of time where you can work freely without unnecessary interruptions.
Also, be extra judicious about what you do online. If you have a tendency to check social media, you may want to download an Internet-blocking program, like FocusMe or Freedom.