When you work from home, it is very tempting to slack off. Getting up later, logging in, working in pajamas instead of in a suit, having a long breakfast, and only really starting work at 10:00. However, keep in mind that even when you work from home, professionalism is expected of you. The simplest rule of thumb is: do not do things you would not do at the office. It may sound unnecessary, but these 7 tips from GENTS will help you work like a professional at home.
1. Preferably work in a room you can close off
The chance of distraction when working from home is quite high. Especially if you have pets or small children, your concentration will be quickly broken. To prevent this, it is best to sit in a separate room. This makes it clear to everyone in the house that you are working. If you can close the room, that is even better. Clear communication with your housemates also helps. Physically you are of course at home, but for matters that can wait until after work hours, you are actually not available. When you communicate this clearly, your housemates will take this into account.
2. Dress professionally
This rule has several aspects. The process of getting dressed psychologically signals that you are ending your home time and entering work mode. Of course, you can adjust your clothing style somewhat. Do you always wear a suit at the office? Then at home you can very well wear chinos with a nice shirt or (turtleneck) sweater. This is especially important if you now handle appointments online with video. The saying “dress to impress” exists for a reason. You can be verbally strong during a meeting or video call, but if you appear in camping clothes or pajamas, your conversation partners will take you less seriously.
If you do not have smart casual clothing, then this is a good excuse to expand your wardrobe a bit now. Of course, you can always do that with GENTS! We currently have extra web-only discounts for everyone who has to work from home or is staying at home.
3. Pay attention to what and when you consume
Even though you are working from home, the domain where you are in charge, there are still manners you must observe. For example, you do not light a cigarette during a work meeting, and you should not do so at home either. Also, consuming an alcoholic drink is really not done, unless you are in the middle of a Friday afternoon gathering. Furthermore, with this weather it is very tempting to catch some sun in the garden or on your balcony. That is still possible, but in your free time you might complement the sunshine with an alcoholic refreshment. The latter is not allowed. Working from home does not mean being at home.
4. Try to keep as much routine as possible
Do you normally get up at 07:00 to go to work? Then keep this up while working from home. This ensures you are mentally prepared for your workday. The time you normally spend commuting can be used for a morning walk. This way you get some fresh air at the start of the day and begin with a fresh mindset. It is also best to keep your usual working hours. Due to all measures to control the COVID-19 virus, almost all activities that give regularity to your life have been cancelled. The fixed days to go to the gym or pursue other hobbies are gone for now. So the tip from GENTS: at least keep regularity and structure in your working hours.
5. Ensure a professional workplace
Although sitting at the kitchen table may be pleasant, dining is different from working at 8 o’clock. Your body posture is an important aspect here. To prevent unpleasant aches and stiffness, it is important to create a good workplace. For a good posture, make sure the angle between your upper and lower legs is 90 degrees. Sit straight in front of your screen and do not place it too close or too far. You can find online what a good distance is based on your screen size. Also, make sure the screen is at the right height. You can easily adjust this with a stack of books or magazines.
6. Keep moving
At the office you probably walk more than when you are at home. Generally, the toilet, coffee machine, and printer are closer at home than at the office. Compensate by doing some stretching exercises every now and then. Do not overdo it: injuring yourself is not handy at this time. Also, regularly (but not too much) looking away from your screen is important. This gives your eyes some rest.
7. Start and end the day with contact with colleagues
Because you work from home, contact with colleagues is naturally less than when everyone works at the office. Besides the social aspect, it can also be good for your productivity to keep in touch with colleagues at the start and end of the workday. In the morning you can discuss what you will do that day via a video call. At the end of the day you then discuss whether everything was accomplished. This provides a small push to get the necessary work done at home as well.
