I've been buried pretty deeply in struggling to get books done in time to hit a couple of looming deadlines, and sticking my head out the door was a luxury before it officially became one, but even I haven't failed to notice that there's some serious craziness going on out there. One obvious effect of that is that an awful lot of people have found themselves attempting something I've been wrestling with for around seven years now: working from home and trying to stay vaguely sane while doing so. As much as I generally prefer it, it's not always the easiest lifestyle, especially if you also happen to live alone. So here, for whatever good they may do, are a few snippets of advice I've learned the hard way...
Set Your Own Schedule and Keep to It
It's a good idea to keep to an approximation of whatever hours you're used to, but why not use them as a guideline instead of a rule? One of the joys of home working is that you're less obliged to do things just because that's how they're done. So set your own hours, but don't make them silly; it may seem you're at your most productive towards midnight or at five in the morning, but it's awfully easy to wreck your body clock and keeping to something like a traditional routine is likelier to stave that off. If you've no reason to keep weekends free, consider taking a day off in the week instead, you may find that only working two or three days in a row does wonders for your concentration. Stick to regular mealtimes. Take breaks, and use them to move around. If you're sitting at a computer, make damn sure to get away from it every few minutes and go and stare out a window or something, your brain will be clearer by the time you get back. Most crucially, set yourself a realistic stopping time that leaves you space to chill out and eat and all that basic human stuff.
Have a Dedicated Work Space
This one's really important for two reasons. First, it's handy to have a physical reminder that you're supposed to be in work mode, and having a space - be it a dedicated room or just a specific seat at the kitchen table that you wouldn't otherwise sit at - is the best way of establishing that. It might seem like a treat to grab your laptop and climb back into bed, but treats are better not done all the time and, given that you're potentially going to be at this for a long time, you really need to be thinking about all that health and safety stuff your employer used to do all the worrying about. Then, on the other hand, and maybe even more vitally, you need a way of knowing that the working day is over, and that's ten times harder when your work space and your relaxing space are one and the same.
Slob a Bit, but Not Too Much
For years of self-employment, I forced myself to get dressed in something that wasn't pyjamas and a T-shirt because I'd read that was a thing you ought to do to be productive. But you know what? It doesn't make an ounce of a difference. In those early days, though? I think it probably did. At any rate, the point is that the balance is a personal thing, but there definitely is a balance. Needless to say, whatever you're wearing, make sure it's clean, and don't allow days to go by without a shower. Even if you're not liable to see anyone, letting your personal hygiene slip even a little will just make you feel crummy. That aside, it's worth testing the balance between comfort and discipline. It may be that your brain needs the ritual of putting on smart clothes to remind itself that you're supposed to doing something productive, or maybe the more chilled you are, the more you get done. But whatever your assumptions, it's worth trying the opposite approach to make certain you've got it right.
Light and Fresh Air Are Your Friends
If, like me, you like your working environment to be somewhat dark and as quiet as possible, and if like me you can easily go a week without stepping outside when you're really in full-on work mode, this one can be a lifesaver, because it turns out that the human brain doesn't respond well to constant gloom and stale air. Crack a window; keep the curtains open, if not in your work space then in adjacent rooms that you can amble into when you need a break. But working in direct sunlight often isn't terribly practical, and relying on daylight sucks on those gloomy, overcast days, so I heartily recommend investing in a daylight bulb or two. These little beauties do pretty much what they say on the tin, and though they take some getting used to, they make an enormous difference.
Gamify Everything
This one's a good general rule for life: most things are more fun if you make them, well, more fun. This is difficult to do in the average work environment, where people expect you to behave at least something like an adult, but at home? Why the heck not? If there's a way to make a task that tiny bit more enjoyable then, hey, go for it. Even if that means it takes slightly longer, the payoff is that you'll spend less time hating what your doing. Not everyone can work to music, but if you can, that'll certainly help. In general, what you're looking for are minor distractions of a sort that let you quickly reset your brain, unlike rubbish distractions such as Facebook or Youtube that eat up half an hour before you realise what you've clicked on.
Be the Tough But Fair Boss You've Never Had
Most bosses are jerks, right? But now that you have a lot more control over your minute-to-minute routine, you're essentially your own line manager, and you don't have to be. However, that's not to say you aren't going to need a ton of discipline; even if you're a workaholic, there'll be days when you've had enough. As much as it sounds like a sure route to madness, it helps to separate out the boss you and the employee you and to give them both a fair hearing - which really just adds up to taking the time to honestly imagine what those perspectives would be. Objectively, have you been slacking all day? Then admit it to yourself and do better tomorrow. Have you worked until you can't see straight? Then be more careful to stick to the hours you've set down and take sensible breaks.
-oOo-
Hopefully that's some help to someone! The short version mostly amounts to taking the time to think through how you do things and consciously experimenting rather than letting yourself sink into bad habits. And the even shorter version amounts to, take good care of yourself and do whatever is necessary to keep from going crazy. Working from home can be brilliant, but it can just as easily be a nightmare, and as with most things, getting it right takes both thought and effort.
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