Tips for working from your home office during Coronavirus, COVID-19

March 17, 2020

Self-isolation: the ultimate social distancing solution

by Maureen McCabe

With the recent increase in employees working from their “home office” due to the coronavirus, remote working has become the new norm for many. I’ve worked from my home office for over 13 years; here are some of the most significant positive (pardon the pun) impactful tips that can help you work efficiently when you don’t have the structure of working at a traditional office surrounded by colleagues:

If you don’t read to the end of the blog, please ‘stay home, stay informed’ – refer only to trusted news sources like Health Officials who are basing their recommendation on ‘science,’ not politicians such as the President, Prime Minister or cabinet.

Tip 1: A home office should still be an office

The biggest challenge most people face when working from home is distraction. While there are many causes of distraction and many solutions, they must begin with defining what part of the house is the office and what part is the home. Only then can one honestly say, “I am in my office – I am at work now.” Ideally, it’s a separate room with a door that closes so you can lock out the humans and cats that live with you. This is especially true now if your spouse (mate, date, significant other, partner) and kids are home because of the coronavirus. Tell them you are not at home but in your office.

Remember, they couldn’t ask you questions if you weren’t there. This is sometimes tough to do, but it’s a lot easier to draw the line from the get-go than to try to draw the line after they get used to interrupting your work.

Tip 2: Make your home office look like your real office

To further remind yourself that you are at the office and should be doing office work, bring some of your “office things” home. Team photos, office posters, ribbons and awards you’ve won are a good start. Some have been known to leave their kids with “ugly artwork” that everyone pretends to admire.

If you have never worked in a big office, picture what you would have. The idea is to adorn your home office to look and feel like a “real” office. That helps trick your mind into believing you should act like it’s a real office.

Tip 3: Get the right equipment

For effective collaboration with clients and coworkers, invest in a quality webcam. It’s an easy-to-use productivity tool for screen sharing, using Google documents and video conferencing. Try it, you’ll like it. It consistently helps many sales folks – close the deal – as you’re in front of the prospect. Ask Codey in Fort McMurray, just 3,800 km (2,300 miles) west of Toronto, why he hired me: “as seen on Skype.”

Video conferencing is great for staying in touch with existing clients, especially if you need to boost revenue – it’s a snap to upsell them as they, too, feel social distancing. But I’d never do this to a valued client; I’d skip sending a link to the slightly less valuable client as I know they’re too busy and seldom look at my LinkedIn posts or other social media… and they’re heads-down running their businesses and keeping afloat. Aren’t we all? This is an insightful blog about.

Tip 4: Invest in a sit-stand desk

You will spend hours every day at a screen, so make sure you aren’t hunched over, stretching or straining. Invest in a sit-stand desk, and ensure your keyboard and mouse are as comfortable as possible. Most people who work from home don’t think about long-term health effects. A little time and money invested right away can save a lot of aches and pains later on.

Seriously,

• To help fight the spread of coronavirus, the British government and their health experts have recommended washing your hands and singing either ‘If You’re Happy’ or ‘Happy Birthday’  to ensure that you wash your hands for long enough (20 seconds) so they’re spanking clean and germ-free. I prefer to be positive (oops,  two-thirds of a pun, PU)  ‘If you’re happy and know it, clap your hands. ‘With 3+ million YouTube views, I’m cheery while humming and editing this blog. WARNING – although it’s a great pick me up, I find the feet stomping adds to the fun, but it is exercise and shouldn’t be done without consulting with a doctor.  Based on my age and ‘coronavirus risk category,’ I’m unsure if it’s emotionally healthy to sing, ‘Happy Birthday to me.’  If you’re curious, I’m only 28 days older than my beloved Barbie doll.

• How to clean your smartphone safely.  Dr. Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London, says you can effectively clean your phone using household soap and water.  Short 2-minute video courtesy of the BBC.
• ‘Stay home, stay informed’ – refer only to trusted news sources such as Health Officials of each state or province, experienced medical doctors, etc. The 1988 Emergencies Act enables the Canadian government, for example, to impose travel bans on individuals, take over personal property, establish emergency hospitals and shelters, and define providers of essential services. Still, it must adhere to the Charter of Rights yeah.

In conclusion, when I wrote the blog, it was 500 words, then I edited it a tad (that’s Irish blarney), and it’s over 1,300 words. March 2012 was the last time I used the words “Irish blarney.” my dad, whom I miss dearly, chuckled about my first interview in The Toronto Star.  Why did I have the luck of the Irish? I was “in” the right place at the right time.  Hint: YouTube business video)

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