Workers throughout the country are finding themselves working from a new office: their homes.
At first, working from home might seem like a dream: no commute, no distracting co-workers and think of all those chores you’ll be able to sneak in!
By Kathryn Vasel, CNN Business
As coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country, companies are asking employees to work remotely to help control contagion.
At first, working from home might seem like a dream: no commute, no distracting co-workers and think of all those chores you’ll be able to sneak in!
But after the novelty wears off, things get real. It can be lonely. Your home suddenly feels a lot smaller. And there’s no real end to your work day.
“I think the biggest thing that is underestimated is the psychological impact of being alone,” said David Hassell co-founder and CEO of 15Five, a performance management software provider, where 40% of the workers are remote.
Here are some tips to stay well-balanced:
Take a break
Let’s be honest: You don’t work eight hours straight in the office. There are coffee breaks, lunch walks and chats with co-workers that give some respite from work.
Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to the same breathers.
“There is a tendency to work throughout the day to overcome some stigma that you aren’t working when not in the office,” said David Rabin, vice president of global commercial marketing at Lenovo.
Hitting the pause button throughout the work day can be a boon to productivity.
“It’s not going to take anything from your effectiveness,” said Julie Morgenstern, an organizationand productivity consultant and author of “Organizing from the Inside Out.” “Stepping away for breaks are part of productivity; they actually make you smarter and give you perspective and answers.”
