Navigating Remote Working by Heather Tasker
Heather Tasker is a DF apprentice at Unilever, writing for the Community Blogging Team.
After an array of different careers, Heather is now undertaking a data analyst apprenticeship with Unilever and is living proof that apprenticeships are for all ages and all walks of life. Heather is also an #IamRemarkable facilitator with Google and is dedicated to helping others find their voice.
These articles are Heather’s voice. Full of experiences, good, bad and everything in between. Every article will hopefully resonate with many of you and offer help in times of uncertainty.
Everyone knows what WFH stands for, after the chaos that was 2020 and the stay-at-home ruling. Throughout my career I have always been in roles that required me to be in the office. Even through covid. So, when joining Unilever and having the new experience of working from home, it was quite a drastic change to my work routine. It has been interesting adapting to the change in environment, so here is the ins and outs of WFH life, from my experience.
The hardest part for me was staying organised with waking up in the morning and getting ready. When you are at home all day you have no need to be anywhere on time apart from your dining room table… so staying organised and getting ready every morning sometimes seems a bit obsolete. There is also a challenge with motivation and concentration when you are on your own at home with many distractions around you. Some people also think it is harder to collaborate with staff on group projects etc. Maintaining overall health and wellbeing has also been reported to be difficult. However, the most common issue is burnout, people find it a lot harder to “log off” for the day mentally and physically when they are already at home.
On the contrary, there are also so many benefits to working from home if you adapt the correct routine and habits. There are ways to adapt both personality types - I am a huge introvert, meaning that being at home is my happy place, my comfort. Taking out the office anxiety helps my work productivity tenfold. For the extroverts there is always some form of coffee connect for those that miss the human connection, and the ability to hybrid work is the best of both worlds. There is also something motivating about being trusted to be at home and work at your own pace, many office environments monitor their staff, and the stress of performing is multiplied. However, being at home, you feel trusted to complete your work and empowered by this while also enabling you to work in the way that is best for you, for example playing Spotify, podcasts pomodoro method, etc. Also with WFH, you end up saving precious time and money spent on the commute to-and-from from work. This improves your carbon footprints on the planet and reduces pollution. You end up saving a good chunk of money, reduce environmental pollution and get more time to spend with loved ones too, not to mention the bonus of keeping on top of housework instead of spending all evening after work cleaning/organising.
So, considering the challenges and benefits, here is my guide to becoming a work from home wiz:
Get a routine – working from home means you can sleep in longer due to not having a commute, which is great but easily overdone. That is why my first tip is to keep to a routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, ensuring time to get ready properly before logging on for the day. A good routine sets each day up with the right mindset.
Get dressed – this may sound obvious but being at home all day creates the urge to stay in your pyjamas. This may seem minor, but it affects your mindset drastically. By getting dressed each morning you are subliminally readying your mind for an pro-active day. So always get dressed in the mornings – even if its just into loungewear, try to keep your favourites solely for workdays.
Get outside – did you know Having enough vitamin D is important for a number of reasons, including maintaining healthy bones and teeth; it may also protect against a range of conditions such as cancer, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis? Getting outside daily has several benefits, from health to increasing your energy levels. Being at home every day creates temptation to stay inside, but its important to not fall into this habit as getting some fresh air every day is needed for overall wellbeing. Whether it is a “walking meeting,” a lunch break outside, or just a quick coffee break. It will make all the difference.
Get a diary and make notes for daily planned tasks – planning your day is essential to productive work. On a morning, make a list of every task you wish to complete today, being realistic and conscious of timings. Connect with your line manager/team/collaborators and discuss tasks that need to be actioned. Setting your day up this way will not only make you more productive with your time but also give you a sense of accomplishment for every task you tick off your list.
Get up from your desk frequently – its no shock being sat down all the time is not healthy and puts strain on your body. Ensuring you take short breaks to get up and move will prevent long term issues that could affect you later in life. Whether it is a walk around the block, the house, or even to the kettle for a drink. Make sure you move. Personally, I love doing a quick 10–15-minute yoga practice on my lunch just to really stretch out my body. Find what movement works for you and move.
Get creative – make your set up your own, create an environment you want to be in. Could be something as small as a few plants, to going all out and creating your own little office space decorated to your taste. Having a space that you enjoy will make logging on in the morning so much easier and a lot more enjoyable in the workday.
Get logged off – as easy as it is to say “5 more minutes” at the end of the day to finish a task, this needs to be done with caution. Finishing your tasks is great but be mindful to not fall into the trap of 5 minutes becoming 10, 20 etc. This is the most communal problem with working from home. Its essential you stick to your hours to let your mind switch off and rest. Resting time is just as important as your working hours, so that you do not experience burn out.
Get an after-work routine – this is just as important as your morning routine. And is great for triggering your brain to switch off work mode. Having a routine that you complete every day after work will trigger your mind to realise its time to step away from work thoughts and relax. This can be anything you enjoy and will look different for everyone. For me – I make dinner while listening to some music, eat, then I light candles or use my oil diffuser, use my mood lights (lamps, fairy lights, anything) and read for an hour. By doing this your mind is distracted and steps away from all work thoughts. Find what works for you and switch your mind off for the night.
Hopefully, some of these tips and tricks will help boost your work from home lifestyle and become positive changes to your everyday routine. Feel free to reach out to me with your tips and tricks.
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