Thread by @JasonAten

[THREAD]

So, your company just told you it’s time to #workfromhome for a while due to #coronavirus. First, #remoteworking isn’t that scary. In fact, you might actually find you’re more productive than sitting in an office.

Of course, there are a few things you should know:

First, pick a place to land. Especially if you’re going to be #remoteworking for more than a day or two. It doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time there, but having a desk and a chair to land in when you need to hunker down and get work done can make all the difference.

One of the reasons why is that it gives you a mental cue that “here’s your spot, this is where you do work.” Don’t underestimate what a big deal that can be, especially if you’re used to having an office or a desk.

Next, set boundaries. Preferably that place you picked to work has a door. Even if it’s your bedroom, let whoever else lives with you know that when the door is shut, you’re working. They shouldn’t interrupt unless the place is on fire or someone is bleeding. (Right parents)

Also, pro tip: tell someone what you accomplished at the end of the day. If you don’t have a boss or a teammate or a partner to tell, I actually recommend sending yourself an email. The act of typing it out can help you clear your mind and give you a place to start the next day.

Chunk your time. This will help you create structure. If you’re used to being guided by a calendar of meetings in an office, blocking off time according to the tasks you want to accomplish can help you stay focused and productive when you’re on your own.

inc.com/jason-aten/7-t…

That can be a big deal, which leads me to this next tip: Find a way to stay connected. Whether it’s with Slack, Zoom, Teams, or even texting, have a plan for staying connected with your team. #remotework can be lonely if you aren’t intentional about staying engaged.

Never mind that disconnected teams are inefficient teams. The good news is, a bunch of companies are currently offering enterprise-level tools for free for remote workers.

inc.com/jason-aten/the…

Finally, have a plan for when to quit. Working from home means that it’s already harder to set boundaries, and it can be tempting to just keep working. Don’t. It can wait.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard, but it means you have to create your own cue for when to stop.

Also, if you have a family, don’t rob them of what they need right now just because going back to the office means sitting on the couch with your laptop. Know when you’re going to start, and when you’re done for the day. It doesn’t have to be 8 hours in a row, but have a plan.

Here’s a few other tools and gadgets that can help you be productive from home (including a great pair of headphones or earbuds):

inc.com/jason-aten/8-g…

Also, an updated version for workers like you who are first time #remoteworkers

inc.com/jason-aten/5-t…