Virtual Office 101

The New Normal

Now that we’ve been working from home for the past two weeks, it’s been quite challenging.  We think it’s a great thing to work from home but there’s something to be said for getting out of the house and going to work somewhere else. I love the idea of working at home, however it’s been very challenging working with my husband. I love my husband, don’t get me wrong, but working at home with your spouse, your kids, and a dog is harder than you think.

Every time I go into my office and close the door my dog wants to come in. Whenever I leave my office and I go into the kitchen I end up washing dishes. My husband likes me to come eat lunch with him. For years I usually eat lunch on the go or at my desk. And of course, if I go upstairs, I am guaranteed to grab a load of laundry.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykmQp40Z6Ig]

Distraction, distraction, distraction, there are so many distractions when you work from home. Therefore, I decided to come up with a list and share it with my family so we can all stay on track.

1. Create an at home routine. Get up get dressed and stick with your get out of the door routine. Is easy to “NOT” follow a routine when you are working from home. Don’t get stuck, stick to what you know. If you need to adjust your daily routine, do it! Then work the new routine.
2. Create a work-space that allows for creativity. Create a work space to think and complete your regular business tasks. Also use this space to be creative and learn.  Your new space should be a place you want to use.  If not, it wasted space!
3. Share your work hours with your family. When we work from home our kids, spouse, partners and or roommates may think we don’t have to work regular hours, or work at all! However, we still have to work. Share your work schedule with the family and stick to it.  If you have to become your kids teacher adjust your hours to make sure your kids school work is completed.
4. Create a power hour. Block specific time to focus on a project you haven’t been able to complete or to simply stay focused. Place your phone in another room until everyone in the house you will be available in one hour or whatever time you choose for your power session. You might select, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, or maybe even 90 minutes. Whatever you select, stick to it. Set a timer using Alexa, your smart phone, google home or the timer on your stove.  You will be amazed at how much work you are able to complete knowing that you only have 30 or 60 minutes to finish.
5. Business development Block time to learn something new, review your day and your weekly routine or daily routine. If something isn’t working fix it. You don’t have to work as if you are going to your regular Monday through Friday job. But you still need to work and learn.  Now is a good time to master tools that allow you to share your computer screen, or even apps that provide private ways to show homes.  We must take advantage of our stay at home order to consistently learn.

Bonus tips: Invest in a Virtual Meeting tool.  I love zoom.us.  You may also consider, Skype, Google hangout or Whereby.  These tools allow for face to face meetings in the online world.

Make your virtual office your space.  I rearranged my office at home three times before settling into an arrangement I could live with.   Use what you have in your home to make your space fun and useful.  I took advantage of bringing things from my office to keep from buying too many new items.  I also searched my basement for items I wasn’t using and re-purposed those items in my home office and home office storage closet.  The most important part of my home office with natural light.  Therefore, my desks face the window.  Then, when I create video, I have natural lighting.  Great for the camera.

Need ideas for a home office space.  Check out pinterest and search home office.

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