March 26, 2020
From school closings and event cancellations, to concerns about our healthcare industry, economy, and local businesses – the coronavirus (COVID-19) has already affected many aspects of our lives and will continue to in the weeks and months ahead.
Workers and families across the United States are transitioning to a new normal to stem the spread of this highly contagious virus, including social distancing and working from home. Millions of office workers, like the RCR staff, are relying on technology and time management strategies while working remotely.
Here are a few ways to stay focused and productive while working from home:
- Stick to a schedule. It’s easy to lag into the morning, which can affect your productivity throughout the rest of the day. Set an alarm, make some coffee (if that’s your thing), and get your day off to an impactful start. This also goes for when to be done with work at the end of the day.
- Wear office attire. It can be really difficult to stay focused on work when you’re wearing lounging clothes. For some workers, it helps to wake up, shower, get dressed, put on some makeup – anything you would do on a normal workday – which helps to put you in the professional headspace.
- Set up dedicated workspace. Unfortunately, you probably won’t be as productive if you’re sitting on the couch engulfed in a mountain of throw pillows. It helps to have a designated and consistent workspace.
- Limit reading the news throughout the workday. It’s an incredibly scary time, especially for those of us with elderly or immuno-compromised family and friends. It is so important to stay connected and informed during this constantly evolving crisis. Just don’t let yourself go too far down the inevitable internet wormholes.
- Make sure you’re on the same page with your family. With many children and spouses also isolated at home, there is no shortage of distractions. From chores to meals to other interruptions, communicate with your family members about how to make it through this time together.
- Be aware of when your best work hours. Plan your day around when you work best. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or last hour of the workday, make sure you are getting the most out of that valuable time.
- Take breaks. Remember to create some space throughout the day, similar to what you would do at the office. Sit on your porch, FaceTime your friends over lunch, take a walk. Socially distanced doesn’t have to mean socially isolated.
- Stay connected. Working from home allows us to explore some new ways to connect with our teams and clients. Do you have video-conferencing software that you’ve never used? Schedule a meeting with your team to figure it out. Want to reach out to your clients and prospects? Start a social media blitz with new posts to make sure your message is getting out there while the office is closed.
- Have other ideas? Share them with us!
Here at RCR, we are continually monitoring the situation and following precautionary procedures set forth by the CDC and NC state officials. Our small team is evaluating how to proceed on a day-by-day basis together and working from home as much as we can.
Remember: Stay apart, but connected. Stay informed, but not scared. Follow advice. Do your part. We’ll get through this.
Other resources:
- 275+ Enrichment Activities for Children While Parents are Working Remotely
- Arts & Culture: Museum collections online
- Free Online Courses, Audio Books, eBooks, Movies, Coloring Books & More
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems [Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home]
