“Quarantine Boss” – Become the Master of Working from Home

If you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering how you can work from home now that we’re all under quarantine, or at least have the potential to be. Well, it’s actually not as difficult as you might think.

One of the great things about working from home is that you can pretty much mommy-fy your entire setup. That means setting up a comfortable workspace in your home, complete with all the things you need to be productive, like a laptop, printer, and good internet connection. But it also means being realistic about how much you can get done in a day, and being okay with taking breaks to tend to your little ones.

Make a Plan

The first step is to figure out what you need to do to be able to work from home. Do you need a separate room for an office? Will you need a laptop or other equipment? Make a list of what you’ll need and start gathering the items now, so you’re ready when quarantine ends.

Time Management

Next, you need to make a plan for how you’re going to manage your time. If you have young children at home, you’ll need to factor their naps and meals into your schedule. If you’re working full-time, you’ll need to be realistic about how much work you can actually get done while also taking care of your family.

Managing your time can be tough, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First, try to set regular work hours and stick to them as much as possible. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting distracted by household tasks or your kids.

Another good idea is to batch similar tasks together. For example, if you need to make a bunch of phone calls, do them all at once instead of spreading them out throughout the day. This will help you use your time more efficiently.

Establish a Routine

Just like when you were working in the office, it’s important to establish a routine when working from home. This means getting up at the same time each day, taking breaks at regular intervals, and calling it quits at a reasonable hour.

Of course, your routine will look different if you’re working from home with kids. In that case, you might need to get up a bit earlier to get some work done before they wake up, or you might need to work later at night after they’ve gone to bed.

But no matter what your situation is, it’s important to have some sort of routine when working from home—this will help you stay focused and productive throughout the day.

Set Boundaries

When you work from home, it’s easy to let work take over your entire life. But this is not healthy or sustainable in the long run. That’s why it’s important to set boundaries between work and home life.

This might mean setting a rule that you won’t work on weekends, or only working during certain hours of the day. It’s also important to establish boundaries with your family and friends, so they know not to disturb you while you’re working.

Make Sure You Have a Dedicated Workspace

Your workspace can be something as simple as a corner of your living room or bedroom. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but it should be a place where you can go to work and focus on your tasks.

If possible, try to set up your workspace near a window so you can get some natural light. Natural light is great for your mood and can help you feel more alert. And make sure you have all the supplies you need, like a printer, paper, pens, and high-speed internet access—this will help you be as productive as possible.

Set Up Your Workspace

Again, you don’t really need a separate room for an office—a corner of your living room or bedroom will do just fine. But it’s important to set up your workspace in a way that’s comfortable and conducive to productivity.

First, make sure you have a good chair. You’ll be sitting in it for long periods of time, so it should be comfortable and supportive.

Next, take a look at your desk. Is it the right height? Is it too cluttered? Make sure you have enough space to spread out your work and that you’re not constantly tripping over things.

Finally, take a look at your lighting. Is it too bright or too dim? You want to avoid eye strain, so make sure you have a good mix of natural and artificial light.

Get Organized

One of the most important things you can do when working from home is to get organized. This means having a system for keeping track of your tasks, deadlines, and projects. It also means decluttering your workspace so you’re not constantly being distracted by things that are unrelated to work.

There are a few different ways you can get organized when working from home. You can use a physical planner or whiteboard to keep track of your tasks, or you can use digital tools like Trello or Asana. Figure out what system works best for you and stick with it.

Getting things organized, both physically and mentally, will help you be more productive when working from home, especially if you have young children at home.

Turn Off Distractions When You’re “At Work”

Once you sit on the chair and start to work, it’s important to minimize distractions as much as possible. This means turning off your phone, closing any tabs that are unrelated to work, and putting away anything that might distract you.

If you have young children at home, you might try wearing headphones or working in a room with a door—instead of working from your kitchen—that you can close. And if you have pets, it might be helpful to put them in another room while you’re working.

Be Realistic About Your Expectations

Working from home is not the same as working in an office, and you need to be realistic about your expectations. You won’t be able to get everything done that you would if you were in an office, and that’s okay.

Be Flexible

One of the most important things to remember is to be flexible with your schedule. If your kids are home from school, you might need to take a break in the middle of the day to help them with their homework or make lunch. If you suddenly have to take a sick day, don’t beat yourself up—just pick up where you left off when you’re feeling better.

As a work-from-home parent, you’ll find that there are a lot of ups and downs. The important thing is to be flexible and go with the flow.

Set Doable Goals

It’s also important to be realistic about how much work you can actually get done in a day. If you’re used to working 8 hours a day, you might only be able to get 4 hours of work done when working from home. That’s okay—just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Set doable goals for each day, and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish everything on your to-do list. Just pick up where you left off the next day—this way, you’ll feel more productive and less stressed.

Be Prepared for Interruptions

If you’re working from home with young children, you need to be prepared for interruptions. This means having a backup plan for when your child suddenly gets sick or has a meltdown.

It might also mean being flexible with your work hours and understanding that there will be some days when you just can’t get as much work done as you’d like.

It Can Be Lonely!

Remember that working from home can be lonely, so make sure you take time to socialize with friends and family. Join an online community or book club, or have regular video chats with your loved ones.

Just because you’re working from home or under quarantine or anything else, doesn’t mean you have to be isolated. Of course, you don’t have to talk with other people all the time—which is one of the benefits of working from home—but it’s important to make time for social interaction, or you might start to feel lonely and isolated.

Take Break

Last but not least, make sure you take breaks—working from home can be tiring, and you need to give yourself time to relax. Taking regular breaks will help you avoid burnout, and it will also make you more productive when you are working.

So take a few minutes each day to step away from your work and do something that makes you happy. Get up and move around every hour or so, and make sure to take time for lunch and other breaks throughout the day. And at the end of the day, make sure to shut off work so you can relax and enjoy your evening.

Final Thoughts

Working from home can be a great way to stay productive during quarantine, but it takes some adjustment. There are plenty of stay-at-home moms who have mastered the art of working from home while also caring for their children. And it is possible to do both well! It just takes a little bit of planning and organization.

If you’re thinking about working from home during quarantine, these tips will help you get started. Just remember to be realistic about your expectations, establish a routine, and take breaks when you need them. With a little bit of effort, you can make working from home work for you.