Lots of people dream of working from home because they can stay home, set their hours, and enjoy comfortable surroundings. Even so, remote work might not always be as peaceful as you imagine, with pets to chase and children to look after, and the same with distractions.
Trying to meet both workplace demands and responsibilities at home can be very difficult. However, with the proper attitudes, organization, and plans, it is possible to work steadily, meet your deadlines, and be there for your family (as well as your pets).
Here’s how to deal with challenges and set up a flexible work system for your team.
Have a specially set-aside place for your work activities.
Help yourself by finding one part of the house dedicated only to work. You don’t need a full working area; a steady, special place that tells everyone it’s focus time is enough.
Set up screens, curtains, or place signage if multiple people share the same space.
By doing this, your brain is primed to work properly when you’re in the zone and deal with less crowding of thoughts.
Create a schedule, and make sure to use it every time.
Having a system in place is your strongest defense against surprises. Make a schedule that shows when your day starts and ends, when you take breaks, and when meetings or focused hours occur.
For Parents:
- Talk with your partner to figure out who will be responsible for what.
- Either nap times, when kids are in school, or quiet play sessions are a great time to handle your busy tasks.
- Use a timer or alarm to plan when your children stop watching TV or using mobile devices.
Pet Owners Should
- Make sure to walk and play with your pet every day at the same time.
- Look after toys, water, and snacks so you won’t have to leave the room for them.
- Sticking to a routine is safe for children, pets, and parents alike.
Let Others Know What’s Acceptable and What’s Not
Your children and pets may not know what it means to work. Use cues
For Kids:
- A green hallway light or door hanger signals that you are welcome. A red one means to stay out.
- Let your kids understand your routine and have them help you plan how the week goes.
For Pets:
- Train your pets, gently, to realize that sometimes it’s not time to play.
- Having a pet gate or crate handy helps if you can’t supervise your pet during focus hours.
- Effective communication saves time and makes it easier for everyone to see what is expected of them in their day.
Take Advantage of the Technology Available
Managing your home can be easier with tech tools when you’re short on time.
Useful tools include:
- Krisp and white noise machines help you block out noise.
- Apps to limit the amount of time children spend on their devices (Google Family Link, Bark)
- Services that send alerts for breaks, children’s school rides, or feeding pets
- Ways to focus with tools such as Pomodoro timers or Forest
Automation helps you reduce the number of decisions you must make each day.
Try to Flex, Not to Succeed Perfectly
The truth is—things will occur that aren’t expected. There’s a chance a child will burst into your video call. Your dog may bark at the person delivering the mail. There is a chance a drink could spill onto your keyboard. That’s nothing to worry about.
Be sure to allow some extra time in your schedule, as you can’t remember getting all the things done at home with so many interruptions isn’t easy.
- Tell the people you work with how you are working (being transparent helps build trust).
- If you are going to be interrupted, save the meeting so you can review it afterward.
- Give yourself a break in between every call by spending a bit of quiet time breathing.
- Doing your work remotely is a long race, not an easy sprint. Pressuring yourself to be flawless will cause you to feel exhausted.
Get Set for Distractions Before They Appear
Be ready for typical things that may distract you and determine your answers in advance.
Kid Emergencies?
- Store coloring books, puzzles, and toys in a box that your child can use when bored.
- Make sure to save your screen time for the times when quiet is the most important.
Pet Disruptions?
- During your calls, give your pet a toy they must figure out or something to chew.
- Try to have your pet get active in the morning.
Unexpected Noise?
- Keep your headphones close by.
- When it’s noisy, use a virtual environment or gently blur the video in any of your calls.
- Planning can help you remain calm when things go wrong.
Final thoughts: Being Human Lets Us Work on Progress
Doing your job remotely, along with keeping an eye on your pet and children, is not easy. It also gives you a way to create a system that fits how you work, rather than someone else’s definition of being productive.
Clearly defining your limits, using new tools wisely, and being open to flexibility will let you do well at work and still be there for your family. We know, that not every day will be perfect—the goal is to stay on a healthy path every day.
