{"id":2527,"date":"2020-04-03T15:30:23","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T15:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3.232.143.211\/?p=2527"},"modified":"2020-04-03T15:30:23","modified_gmt":"2020-04-03T15:30:23","slug":"how-to-stay-connected-and-productive-when-working-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/03\/how-to-stay-connected-and-productive-when-working-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stay Connected and Productive When Working From Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connection. It\u2019s a basic human need found in the same list as food, water, shelter. There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/better\/health\/good-company-why-we-need-other-people-be-happy-ncna836106\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">countless studies and research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supporting this fact \u2013 whether in your personal or professional life, interacting and supporting others is crucial to both well-being and success. So in this new reality we\u2019re facing with working from home, self-quarantines, shelter-in-place and social distancing, how do we maintain that connection? Many of us face uncertainty and it can weigh on you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having more time to spend <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/3.232.143.211\/index.php\/2020\/03\/25\/use-the-gift-of-time-to-strengthen-family-ties\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quality time with family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is something we can be grateful for during this pandemic. If you are not used to that dynamic it can be difficult.\u00a0 But in business, we are finding companies struggling to rethink their whole process, whether they\u2019re directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic. Maintaining a solid culture while working from home presents many challenges. You have to adapt quickly to have a productive workday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As social psychologist and neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman explains,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAcross many studies of mammals, from the smallest rodents all the way to us humans, the data suggests that we are profoundly shaped by our social environment and that we suffer greatly when our social bonds are threatened or severed.\u201d <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/why-we-are-wired-to-connect\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/why-we-are-wired-to-connect\/<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Questions abound about how to survive and succeed in the age of coronavirus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can be done to strengthen culture from a distance?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you support your team?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do I stay motivated when working from home?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can I do to retain customers when my traditional service offerings aren\u2019t possible?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>Support Your Team &amp; Build Culture While Working From Home<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your team has gone from being in the office to working from home, there is a bit of a learning curve in figuring out the logistics of how that all works. By this time, you\u2019ve most likely figured out the technology and general strategy, but there are other things that you can do to make a remote team function efficiently and effectively. And surprise, it comes back to <\/span><b>connection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s several things we take for granted when in person. The ability to give a quick high-five, chit-chatting about life outside the office, even a smile or wink from across the room. So find ways to continue these encouragements and interactions from afar. Some ideas:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do a \u201cteam lunch\u201d over Zoom, allowing space for casual conversation and team bonding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video will be part of the \u201cnew normal\u201d. Instead of traditional emails, use a service like<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bombbomb.com?bbref=CHIP\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> BombBomb.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to include personal videos in your emails. Amazing how much better things can be taken when you\u2019re not guessing at tone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up regular check-in meetings, perhaps more frequently than you normally do to be sure things aren\u2019t falling through the cracks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up fun activities like a daily trivia question or riddle, offering prizes to those who get the answer right<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send daily \u201chigh-five\u201d emails celebrating people\u2019s successes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By offering your people encouragement and connection on a daily basis, you are allowing them to be seen \u2013\u00a0and people who feel seen are more engaged and excited about their work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Stay Motivated When Working From Home<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2529\" src=\"http:\/\/3.232.143.211\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/harry-cunningham-1-Osp6CvhXc-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/>If you aren\u2019t used to working from home it can seem daunting. The best way to set yourself up for success is to develop a plan for each day just like you would if you were at the office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>productivity plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a plan that you create for your time. It is a combination of looking at what you need to do and recognizing when you need to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And then creating a schedule that organizes your day into a manageable structure.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">List everything<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize by importance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give it a time value ( 45 min to complete, 1 day, etc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finalize it<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do the work<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attack your plan each day. Make sure you reserve time to move, eat a good meal, and do something fun. At the office, chatting with a coworker or taking a client to lunch naturally breaks up your day, so be sure you have ways to clear your head and step away from your work from time to time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of time your daily home tasks like laundry and cleaning can distract you from your work. So instead of stressing over house tasks while working, or stressing about work while cleaning your house, put it all on your productivity schedule. When you have it all organized, you might even be able to add in tasks you\u2019ve been putting off, like cleaning out the junk drawer, touching up your paint, organizing the pantry \u2013 whatever it is that will give you a sense of accomplishment when you complete it. Some other ideas of things you can do to get yourself organized:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create email templates for personal and professional email. It will save you so much time!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan your meals for the upcoming week<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize your kitchen drawers or spices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make backups of everything. That\u2019s a must.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a money management app and say goodbye to overspending.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the expiration date of your canned goods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a list of your passwords and store it in a safe place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize garage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize photos<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn to build\/repair things\/YouTube videos<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize and plan summer activities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2530\" src=\"http:\/\/3.232.143.211\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/djurdjica-boskovic-G8_A4ZWxE3E-unsplash.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a dedicated home office space. Even if you don\u2019t have a room, find an area that\u2019s clear of distractions and that you can set up your computer, phone and whatever else you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try not to leave a bunch of projects half done, instead, tackle each one fully, one at a time. While multi-tasking is often necessary, do your best to give each project your full focus. If it&#8217;s a large project, set accomplishment milestones for yourself so you can still check things off while working on the whole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Connect With Your Audience<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on your line of work, you may find it more challenging to reach your customers, followers or constituents while working remotely and observing social distancing. Some of the tools listed above work great for not just your team, but for your customers. Send a video message, cheer on their successes. Now is a great time to send handwritten thank you cards to customers, suppliers and key partners. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We so rarely get personal mail, so what a great time to do so. <\/span><b>What if you just did 3 a day?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coronavirus might also be forcing you to rethink your offerings. Use this as an opportunity to innovate. What do people want and need right now and what do you have or what can you do to get it to them? The businesses that will come out of this strong are those that are continually fighting and thinking creatively.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Connection. It\u2019s a basic human need found in the same list as food, water, shelter. There are countless studies and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,174,4,172],"tags":[199,196,205,186,206,204,203,173,202],"class_list":["post-2527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-chips-tips","category-motivation","category-team-spirit","tag-connection","tag-coronavirus","tag-culture","tag-get-switched-on","tag-planning","tag-productivity","tag-remote-work","tag-team-spirit","tag-work-from-home"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2527"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2532,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527\/revisions\/2532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}