Switching to ‘working from home’ is not an easy transition at the best of times, and it has many pros and cons. Some of the Ashford Crew have been doing it for years, including our writers and designers. So, for what it’s worth, here are some thoughts and suggestions for anybody who’s new to remote working. (And that includes some of our colleagues.)

by Chris Burns

Get into a routine

Develop a daily routine – and this is the important bit – that works for you and your situation.

  • Get up at the same time each day, and have a shower and get dressed before starting work. This helps you get into a ‘going to work’ mindset.
  • Wear whatever you want. If you feel more ‘professional’ in a suit, wear a suit. If you feel more creative in your slobby sweatpants or giraffe onesie, by all means wear them. Just don’t go nude if your workspace is next to the window or you are going to be taking part in an online meeting…
  • Don’t work all the hours just because you’re at home – stop working at a set time and create a mental barrier between the working day and your own time.
  • Match your working hours to the needs of your business – if your clients and colleagues work 9-5 and expect you to take part in an online daily briefing at 11am, you obviously can’t just decide to work the night shift!
  • Don’t need to work at set times? You can work when you want or work regular office hours, it’s up to you and your situation. Just make sure your core hours are the same as your colleagues and clients so they can contact you.
  • Work to deadlines? Put in the hours whenever you want, just don’t miss your deadlines!

Be flexible

When I first started working from home, I struggled with the sense that I was somehow playing truant if I did non work-related tasks during my working hours.

  • Don’t feel guilty if you give in to the irresistible desire to clean the kitchen floor or watch a daytime TV drama – it’s classic displacement activity and we all do it. Simply finish your working day a little later – you’re the one setting your working hours now!

Create a separate workspace

Find a place that you can set up as a regular workspace. That way, you can ‘go to work’ in the morning, and ‘leave’ at the end of the day.

  • It’s vital to create a division between your work and home time.

Don’t just sit there!

Get up and move about a bit, at least once every hour. If you work at a computer, take regular screen breaks. Set alarms on your watch, phone or PC to remind you.

  • Are there two toilets in the house? If you work upstairs, use the downstairs loo; if you work downstairs, go upstairs to the bathroom.
  • Take your coffee breaks away from your desk – in the garden or on the balcony if you have one.
  • Remember to eat lunch.

Go outside

Ashford Group Services do some exercise

As long it’s permitted and safe to do so, make sure you take some time away from your home/workplace every day to get some fresh air and take some exercise. Go for a walk round the block, cycle or go for a run.

Get a hobby or learn something new

Find something different to do after work – don’t spend all day sitting in one room looking at a computer screen then spend all evening sitting in another room staring at the TV. Do something that uses a different part of your brain, e.g. find a hobby that involves using your hands, or join an online pub quiz.

The pros and cons of a distraction-free working day

Under normal circumstances, the main difference between going elsewhere and working from home is there are fewer distractions.

These days of course, working from home doesn’t necessarily mean working alone. You might have other family members working or learning from home at the same time… which makes it even more important to create routines and set aside regular workspaces. You’ll probably see a whole other side to your loved ones…

On the plus side, working from home means fewer distractions. At Ashford, we found that productivity increased significantly. And from the worker’s point of view, this means it takes less time to complete tasks, so we can finish work sooner. Winning!

However, having fewer distractions means it’s tempting to just keep working and take fewer breaks. Not getting up and moving about enough can have serious effects on your health, fitness and weight.

Creativity can also suffer. With no colleagues to bounce ideas off, it’s a challenge to keep coming up with new ideas. Online meetings and chats via Skype, Google Hangouts, Zoom etc are going to prove vital now the Ashford LD team can’t do our regular ‘ladies who lunch’ meetings!

Beware of becoming isolated

Living and working in the same place, especially alone, can have serious effects on your mental and physical health. It’s so easy to become a workaholic or bored.

  • You probably don’t need to finish that task right now – take a break. If you’re on a tight deadline and DO need to finish it right now, take a break immediately after you’re done and schedule breaks into your next project.
  • Watch out if you become reluctant to go out – force yourself to leave the house, even if it’s just to take a cuppa in the garden. Lack of sunlight can cause a Vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression.
  • Keep in touch with other people – even if it’s only online!

And finally…

If you’re working together at home for the first time, don’t murder each other. Good luck and stay safe.