~ Rules for working from home ~ RULE 1: set clear boundaries. #WorkFromHome #workingfromhome #workingremotely 1/
RULE 1.1: set clear boundaries for yourself. Working from home means more distractions and a changed routine. We rely on routine to reduce mental processing required for low-value activities; without rules, your new circumstances will drive you crazy. /2
For example, decide that you will use the time you typically spend commuting on something personally stimulating, like reading or listening to a podcast. Start the activity at the same time you'd leave the house and end it at the same time as you'd typically get to work. 3/
Stop work at the same time as usual, and enjoy the extra few minutes with your pets or family, which leads us to... 4/
RULE 1.2: set clear boundaries for others. This is absolutely critical. Until now, your presence at home meant that you were available for others. This is no longer true and everyone must understand this, pets included. /5
You have to tell your significant other and your children that while you're physically present, you're not actually there. Talk about how difficult it is to switch context and resume work productively after an interruption. /6
Point out that there may be times during the day when you absolutely must not be disturbed, unless there's bleeding involved or other major emergency (define major emergencies - you'd be surprised what a 3yo may consider a major emergency). /7
Find a physical token or a sign to display to identify such times. "When the sign is up, do not come close, stand behind me, hover, or sniffle in my direction" sort of thing. Explain that sometimes there are video calls happening where tens of people may see behind you... /8
... and while you may not be aware of your partner streaking across the hallway to get the bathrobe, your VP of Sales will be, and so will the entire North American sales team. Position your laptop camera judiciously (and use the blur background feature in MS Teams) /9
Remind yourself and others that unless you're taking a day off, you're not actually home to be called upon for a quick sec to help with laundry or to let the cat in or to get the mail or to empty dishwasher or to build a Lego spaceship or whatever. Having said that... /10
... Unless your day *must* start at 8 and end at 5 feel free to set boundaries that let you start at 7, take 3 hour break, and continue until 6, or whatever. /11
RULE 1.3: be consistent with your boundaries, both in terms of enforcement and in terms of repeatability. Say what you will do, and do it, otherwise it's useless. /12
RULE 1.4: take feedback and adapt. You may not get the boundaries right the first time around. Listen to yourself and your partner and surroundings, address concerns and modify if possible. /13
