How to Work From Home and Still Tick Off the 'To-Do' List

Many of us have been tasked with working from home - if not every day, then part of the work week - often sharing the space with our spouse who's doing the same thing AND our kids who may be schooling at home too.

That is a lot of people in the same space.  (For us, it's 6) 

As a self-employed couple with businesses of our own, my husband and I have enjoyed the convenience of a shared home office for nearly 2 decades. 

Having 4 teens sharing the same space, however, all day, every day, has been a wilderness experience that's involved: 

• managing strong personalities and their differences (everyone wants to be a Boss), 
• grappling with teen logic (does that even exist?)
• raging hormones and tempers
• diffusing frequent mico-eruptions and mini-explosions swiftly and effectively - pretty much daily

... all while trying to get stuff done for our clients, meeting deadlines, trying to stay healthy and still have time to nurture our relationship.  

It's been an epic adventure for all of us.  

On many levels.

I'm proud to say, we've so far miraculously avoided the full-on nuclear attack, but on some days...just barely.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Here are my tried and tested strategies to avoid the war in your home, keep everyone healthy and happy, and still Get Stuff Done:

1.   Stick to a Regular Routine

Continue to rise at a regular time during the week and practice your morning ritual - exercise, shower, breakfast.  Enjoy your coffee or tea while you plan your day and then ease into it.  Maybe it means a daily journal.  This helps you prepare your mind and body for a productive day of working.

2. Create a Schedule for Yourself & Your Family Members

Since we're all sharing the same space, establishing a framework for what has to happen each day, and when, has kept the kids moving forward with their academics, their instrument practice, and their physical activity.  It's been important to get that energy expended in positive ways - BEFORE they spend time connecting with their friends on social media and online games.

It also gives Mom and Dad set blocks of time to schedule client calls, project management and business management tasks as well. 

3.  Set Up Your Workspace

Find an area in your home that you can designate as your workspace.  

Maybe you prefer to work on a couch rather than at a desk, but it's important to have a place where you can stay focused, preferably without interruption (really??) that has good lighting that feels right for you.

4.  Work Your Plan

Before you start, write down your priorities for the day. 

Set out blocks of time to complete your priority tasks and stick to your schedule.  45-minute time blocks work well for me, leaving the 15 minutes between each as a buffer to transition from one focused 'assignment' to the next.   

5.  Avoid Feelings of Insolation - Stay Connected

Technology can be challenging.  There are no limits or boundaries that come with it, but it's something that does require 'management.'  

And not just for our kids, but for ourselves as well.  

Nothing 'in excess' is healthy - and that's true for screen time too.

Thankfully, we can stay connected virtually and we can feel like we're meeting and gathering - even though it's online.  

Check in with your family, friends, boss, and colleagues regularly. Update them on your schedule project progress, and deliverables, and advise of any changes along the way. 

And then... be mindful of the next key... Balance.

6.  Balance is the Key...so is Flexibility

Give yourself enough time during the day to walk away from your laptop and turn off the smartphone and put away the tablet.

Practice the 20-20-20 rule with your computer screen.  Every 20 minutes focus on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to save your eyesight.  

Get up and move around, go for a walk, and get some fresh air... and don't forget to clock out at the end of your shift.  If you're working on multiple projects in a day, use www.toggl.com to track your time. 

Are these adjustments going to be easy?  Probably not at first, but we're all learning and accommodating as we go and it will get easier as we try new things, find our footing, and implement solutions that make it all go smoother.

Now it's your turn...which of these strategies do you already practice?  Which do you find most helpful?  I'd be delighted to hear from you. Please leave your comments below. 

Until next time, stay safe, healthy, and productive.  And enjoy this time with your family if you're sheltering together as our time is a precious commodity.

 About the Author:

Andrea Raco, is a Certified Success and Life Enrichment Coach, Founder of Coach for Life and Curator of Gold Key Club ~ a private community for Ladypreneurs, Supermoms, and Sisters making a difference in the world.

For more information about her programs and services, visit www.coachforlife.ca.