The mechanics of working from home
Now that we are all two weeks into working from home, hopefully everyone is settling into a good routine and adjusting to this new normal.
Through our own experiences we’ve discovered that re-creating your office space at home is the best way to help you to stay focused and get your work done. Here’s our practical tips to make working from home as efficient as possible.
Replicate your office
Set up a work space, preferably in a spare room that can be temporarily converted into an office. Find a desk that you can use – or make a temporary one with a set of drawers or other furniture and wood you have around the house, or you may still be able to order one online – and try to replicate your office at home. Clear your working area, and have everything you need – a notepad, laptop/desktop, pens, water – nearby so that you don’t need to waste time looking for the essentials.
Conference calls
We’re living in a time when we have the world at our finger tips, conference calling and remote working has never been easier. There are lots of great options for staying in touch with your colleagues and clients, some of the simplest are Google Hangouts and Skype. The set up process for both of these is straight forward, they can both be used free of charge and don’t have time limits for conference calls. Other popular options are Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Stick to a routine
Set yourself consistent hours as this will make it easier to get all your work done and for colleagues to get in touch with you. Try to choose a time when you are most productive and make sure you take your usual breaks.
Keeping little ones entertained
The biggest hurdle for some people working from home will be trying to get work done while keeping children entertained. Luckily, there are lots of resources to help. Sligo Library has started streaming Toddle Time with stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live every Wednesday at 10am. And RTÉ 2 is broadcasting over an hour of “school on TV” every Monday to Friday from 11-12, with a shorter “catch-up” segment later in the afternoon. Also, many TV streaming services are offering free trials from 7 days to 3 months long.
Remember we are all in this together and these Covid-19 restrictions won’t last forever, so make sure to stay connected and look for support when you need it. You can get in touch with us by emailing info@sligochamber.ie.