Working from home has become the new normal for most of us following the announcement made on 11/03/20 by the World Health Organisation that the Coronavirus has reached pandemic status.

A lot of employees will be working from home for the first time which means figuring out a new way of working and setting yourself strict boundaries to stay on task. Planning is the way forward! 

At Make Me A Plan, virtual working is what we are about. We promote flexible working where the whole team works whenever and wherever they wish to suit their lifestyles. Here are some of our teams top tips for virtual working...

Planning 

Plan your work ahead and set yourself goals. Think about what you'd like to acheive or what tasks you'd like to complete each month and break this down into weeks. Deadlines will help to keep you on track. Get in touch with us if you would like more support with this.

Team Communication 

Communication is the most important element of virtual working. You must ensure you can still communicate with your team effectively and that you know exactly what is expected of you. 

An excellent way of achieving this is by using a project management software where all team members are able to see tasks, deadlines and are able to communicate in one place so no information can be lost/difficult to find when needed.

A Calm Environment

Have you ever considered what actually makes you feel calm? Certain smells, sounds, images etc? Working from home can be hard when you have others in the house, especially children. 

I like to find a quiet space in the house away from the family and fill my workspace with all the things that make me feel calm and inspired to enable me to work as productively as possible. This includes having soft piano background music, candles, a cosy blanket, a nice smelling room spray and a comfy spot to sit.

Virtual Meetings

Just because you’re working virtually, doesn’t mean you can’t attend meetings. There are many online platforms now that you can take advantage of where you or your employer can host virtual meetings. This is a great way to still be in contact with colleagues and to continue regular team meetings.

Getting Dressed For Work

It can be really beneficial to have a shower and get dressed in the morning to help boost productivity. I find that I am less productive if I lounge around in my pyjamas because I tend to be sleepier and it generally takes me longer to get in the ‘zone’.

Be Mindful of Your Wellbeing

It's really important to have regular breaks and refreshments throughout the day to avoid feeling drowsy. Drink plenty of water and try to get as much fresh air as possible. Open a window to ensure your workspace is ventilated, or better still, spend some time working in the garden if your situation allows. Keeping your body moving and refreshing your mind can make a big difference.

Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Stay home and stay safe!