Category: Working from Home

THE ART OF WORKING FROM HOME: A Healthy Routine

by Randall Arias

Many of us dream of working from home. But dreams rarely become realities unless we plan and work hard to make them come true. And sometimes, the reality of what we actually achieve is far from what we had envisioned! If this has happened to you, don’t be discouraged. There are always ways of shaping your world into the one you desire.

In my current series of posts, “The Art of Working from Home,” my goal is to share my personal experiences and hopefully help guide you through some of the challenges you will no doubt face working “virtually.” I described the art of traveling while working from home, autonomy in your work-from-home job, and, in my last post, how to maintain your social skills.

But what about your physical health? This is an important, yet often overlooked, factor when you are about to experience a new day-to-day reality. When your new job is as a remote employee, be prepared for a whole new set of circumstances that can impact your health.

When I first started working from home, I was so overjoyed to be at home that I unconsciously placed my personal health habits on hold. I mean, COME ON! Who needs to brush their teeth and take a shower in the morning, when you can simply roll out of bed (if even that) and open your laptop, in order to be “at work”? Right?

WRONG!

You might think I’m being a bit over the top here, but it’s very easy to forget about the small details, like hygiene, your health, or a dress code when you have no one around you to “judge” you.

Never fear. With a bit of consciousness and effort, you can create a healthy routine that will keep you comfortable, looking good, and feeling good about yourself. Hey, you could even get into better shape. Because, on the flip side, working from home does afford you flexibility—and more time, since you won’t be stuck in commuter traffic—to factor in some healthy habits during your day.

Here are some of my personal mantras for keeping a healthy routine.

Set daily reminders. I often get up early, hit the computer, and then sort of forget that my regular morning routine—the one I would surely follow if I were going to the office—fades away. I am talking about brushing my teeth, eating a solid breakfast, walking the dog, showering, and attempting to look good. If the same happens to you, I suggest you create as many reminders as you need and use as many services as you like, so you truly don’t forget. Google Keep and Google Calendar are my favorites, but there is a huge selection of apps and services out there. Don’t be shy. Create reminders for any small thing that usually slips your mind, like personal hygiene and the list I put forth above. You might laugh at some items on my list, but we each have our challenges! For me, reminders make the difference between wanting to do something to physically detaching from my mouse and keyboard and doing them.

A healthy body equals a happier and more energized camper. Sitting in front of a computer is definitely going to get you in shape … a round shape! Being able to incorporate exercise into your daily routine is, if you take advantage of it, one of the greatest aspects of working from home. Get your daily dose of exercise, which is, according to the Mayo Clinic FAQ page, “for most healthy adults … at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, and do strength training exercises at least twice a week.” Regular exercise is proven to positively impact your energy and mood. Also, try to eat as well as possible. One of the best parts of working from home is having all of your kitchen space and tools available to make a healthy lunch for yourself. However, there are definite vulnerabilities to having your kitchen steps away and the flexibility to snack all the time. So beware: You need to take positive advantage of your new access to food. If you need extra help in this area, regular visits to a licensed nutritionist can be the best guide to a healthy diet that fits your particular needs.

Believe in yourself and manifest that confidence on the outside. Sometimes it’s easy to put ourselves last on the list: “I’ll clean myself up after I finish this one thing!” So, there should also be a time to put you first—even if just for a few minutes—and show the world that you are worth it. As long as you are doing a great job, nobody will object to you taking a break to do yoga or walk the dog. Simply changing your mentality a little bit can help you accomplish great things in life. So, make your bed, clean your house, take a shower, shave (or groom), organize as much as possible, and try to dress up a bit. Of course, it’s a balance, and sometimes working in your PJs is the right thing to do … but just keep things in a healthy balance for you. Remember that although no one is actually looking at you (unless you’re on a video call!), YOU are looking at you, and looking good will boost your self-image and keep you in a healthy state of mind.

Go ahead and try some (or all) of these and let me know in the comments below if you feel any difference.

Establishing a healthy routine is as much about ensuring a healthy mind as it is a healthy body. You (and your coworkers) will find that you are more alert, attentive, and generally pleasant to work with, which will validate that working from home is a good thing. It will also allow you to be more in control of your work-from-home routine since no one will complain about you abusing the system—quite the contrary.

In any case, when you take control of your work-from-home reality, and set goals and achieve them, you’ll end up feeling great, and a happy person is also someone who thrives in all areas of life, including work. So, gain control of your daily life. Use the strength within you and become a rock star at the art of working from home.
I’m excited about working from home; it’s opened up a new life/work reality for me. Please share any thoughts, comments, or questions you have on the subject, so I can learn from you as we all continue on this journey together.

THE ART OF WORKING FROM HOME: Social Skills

by Randall Arias

When you have a dream job in mind, you need to investigate, dig into the facts, and really understand what the job is all about. Only then can you take on the dream and be able to create a reality. As I began my work-from-home experience, I quickly discovered how my life changed and new challenges emerged from a human-connectivity point of view.

I previously discussed the art of traveling while working from home, how to balance the desire to travel with the realities of a full-time job. I also wrote about autonomy in your work-from-home job, which can be a refreshing concept if you know how to remain productive, efficient, and professional.

So let’s dive into the next important topic, which is maintaining a healthy set of social skills. Believe it or not, this can be a real challenge and a crucial part of keeping your sanity.

Take me for example…

When I first started working from home, it was a bit of a cultural shock because you don’t interact with your coworkers in the same way that you would in an on-site position.

Some of the things you might take for granted in an on-site position are just… different when working from home. Taking hints from a facial expression is impossible if you’re on a voice-only call or talking via chat. Sharing your teammates’ failures and successes (you know, those small talks that are common in working relationships), don’t happen as organically when you’re not sitting near them. Even knowing when is the best time to approach a coworker or boss is not as evident. In most on-site jobs, you can actually see if someone’s on the phone or in a meeting; that may not be as clear in the virtual office.

Outside the “office,” you may encounter other challenges. A common one is explaining to your friends and family (in a way that they really understand!) that working from your home does not mean you are free and available at all times.

So, this is why we members of the “moving laptop” tribe should always take care to exercise our social skills with those around us. (No, the cat does NOT count.)

Here are a few tips and tricks that I think will put you on the right track:

  • At work, don’t become a robot. What do I mean by that? Two examples: sending short e-mails without a greeting (with a “template” aftertaste), and never going beyond work-related topics when meeting with colleagues. These tendencies can, and will, make you sound and feel more like a cyborg with no interest in human emotions. So while you don’t want to become a Chatty Cathy, you do want to include some warmth and personality in your daily communications. Try to pick up on cues: Does your coworker seem a little down or particularly happy today? Be empathetic.
  • There are always solutions. Find them! If you come up against a challenge, you can always find ways to improve. If you aren’t connecting with others as you would like or you miss picking up on facial expressions, take the initiative and suggest a video call or conference. If someone is nearby or traveling and in town, reach out and grab a lunch or dinner. Set a good example for your team by always keeping them informed of your current activities, such as updating your Skype status and keeping an up-to-date calendar. By doing so, they’ll know when they can reach out to you. If you want to organically connect with your coworkers, clients, and others, use (in a smart and professional way) your social networks. Create new groups with privacy rules so that all of your personal shares reach the specific group of people you intended.
  • Seek every opportunity to go out of the house. Let’s be honest, we usually spend so much time indoors, we might rarely even see natural light! Go and have a “Zen” break in your garden, walk around your block, plan small and big trips, visit friends and family, and go out for dinner and drinks. These activities will lower your stress level and help you keep your sanity. Life’s not all work and no play, you know.
  • Be clear about your time and needs with family and friends, but don’t shut down their (and your own) need for contact. They may be used to just “dropping by” (or think they can now that you’re working from home). They need to understand that when you are working, you are in fact at work and shouldn’t be disturbed. At the same time, don’t let this make you a hermit who refuses any human contact. Instead, encourage them to reach out at times that are convenient for you. If it’s feasible, make dates for meals or a quick coffee break, and put them on your calendar with reminders. Then, enjoy your time together! (And…of course, play with your cats.)

The bottom line is, no matter how much work you might have, always make time for human connections with your friends, colleagues, and those who love you. (And, make time for yourself… don’t fall in to the trap of being at work 24/7.) Making and maintaining social connections is very much part of the art of working from home.

If you have any questions about working from home, I would be happy to answer them in future posts. Just leave a note in the comments below.

THE ART OF WORKING FROM HOME: Autonomy in Your Work-from-Home Job

by Randall Arias

Did you ever dream of working from home? I did, and I’m happy to say that my dream came true! However, with this dream, there are also realities. It’s so important to know what you’re getting into when you work from home, so you can plan ahead and succeed in your job.

In a previous post, I talked about traveling while working from home. The flexibility of travel is a huge draw since working from “home” can mean working from wherever you hang your hat. As I discussed in that post, planning is critical.

But even when you’re not traveling, you have some flexibility in how you arrange your day. Here again, planning ahead will help you avoid the pitfalls and create a great routine that works for you and your employer.

The enticement of doing things your own way can draw people to a work-from-home career.
Yet, in many aspects, your work-from-home job is no different than one in an office setting—you need to abide by work schedules, time frames, and deadlines. The difference is there is no actual human being standing behind you and nobody knows if you are weeding in the garden while on a conference call, taking a 10-minute cat nap, or playing a video game. That’s right, you will have, to some degree, the gift of autonomy.

Now, what this really means is that you must be focused and set priorities, because at the end of the day, you need to get your work done. You need to be self-motivated, organized, and professional, so you don’t end up watching silly Internet videos of cats (one of my personal vices, being a cat person) instead of doing your work.

How do you keep yourself on track while working from home? Here are some tools that can help:

  • Consider online services like Google Calendar, Google Keep, and Evernote for scheduling and to-do lists. Whatever system you use, make sure you don’t miss any meetings or deadlines.
  • Tracking your time can be a real drag, since many of us tend to just work away without paying close attention to the time. Consider services like Toggl and Mouse Flow. Stand out for the accuracy of your time-tracking skills.
  • Learn about cloud services, especially those created (or with options) for business needs. Most companies with work-from-home employees will use at least one of these tools for organizing, collaborating, and sharing all type of documents. I am sure that many companies will appreciate your knowledge about services like Google Docs, One Drive, 4Shared, and Vimeo.

You should also pay attention to your work day and how you integrate your personal activities, such as walking the dog or exercising. In the beginning, list the personal activities that you might not normally be able to do at work. Then assess your work performance. Make adjustments where you need to in order to achieve a nice balance between your work and personal commitments.

The goal is to better enjoy your life, which should then allow you to be even better at your job. The classic win-win!

If you have any questions about working from home, I would be happy to answer them in future posts. Just leave a note in the comments below.

THE ART OF WORKING FROM HOME: Traveling

by Randall Arias

Life is filled with dreams. Dreams of traveling to exotic locations, studying and getting a degree, buying a new house, and, of course, landing your dream job.

Today much has been written about the wonders of “work from home” jobs, and many seem to idolize them as “dream jobs.”

But, how “dreamy” are these jobs?

Well, let’s not fool ourselves. Working from home is freaking cool.

Working from home offers flexibility that no on-site job can easily match. Your flexibility takes a great leap forward, and life and work can be organized around your specific needs.

There are so many things to love. Working in your PJs or “going” to a meeting in the tacky sweater Grandma gave you for Christmas is totally acceptable; you only need to look decent from the neck up if you have a video call. Doing the laundry while sending an e-mail is a wonderful new spin on multitasking.

And having the opportunity to change your “office” and its view, as often as you like, can be fun and energizing.

But if you are seriously thinking of pursuing a telecommuting work opportunity, be ready to face some real challenges. Successfully working from home is a real art.

My point of view is as one member of a team in a busy, dynamic, deadline-driven organization. If you are an entrepreneur with no one to answer to but yourself, your experience may be different. My goal is to share my experience and lessons learned, so you can approach your work-from-home career with open eyes and the best chance to make a successful transition.

This post is the first in a series on the “art of working from home,” because I believe there is an art to making this type of “dream” job work for you in reality. Here I’m going to focus on travel when working from home, and next time, I’ll take a closer look at autonomy and how to stay on task.

If you have any questions about working from home, I would be happy to answer them in future posts! Just leave a note in the comments for me below.

The Art of Travel with Your Work-from-Home Job

You might envision a life in which you wake up whenever you want to, send some e-mails (if you feel like it) followed by a wonderful breakfast on a secluded beach in Thailand. Sounds amazing, right? But it’s not that simple, and the truth is that travelling while maintaining a full-time job requires an epic amount of planning and organization.

Here’s my travel story: I recently decided to move to Nicaragua, because, first of all, I work from home (so why not, right?), but also because it’s a beautiful country with natural wonders, a rich culture and amicable people, and a very affordable cost of living. I also found good opportunities to study, and plan to start two new engineering degrees here.

Yet even though I planned my move in great detail, I still came across unplanned hiccups. I came down with two different illnesses in the first two weeks. It took me a full month to secure a stable Internet connection, after dealing with four different companies—all of which had previously assured me they could provide me with the service.

These hiccups can and will affect your job performance, so be aware. When you work in a deadline-driven organization as I do, your downtime will affect others on the team and your job performance, so it needs to be minimized. My recommendation is to not take these moves lightly, recognize there may be issues, discuss your plan with your boss, and be selective about when you choose to travel.

How do you make travel a part of your work-from-home career?

  • Be honest with yourself about the extra turmoil travel will create and whether you can remain productive when you need to be. (Do you really want to put in 13-hour shifts to finish an epic project while you are in Rio during Carnival?) Keep in mind, your first priority will be getting your work done and done well. You may need to put in some extra time on weekends and evenings to catch up.
  • Don’t be too ambitious. Try traveling locally first before tackling a more distant location. Closer-to-home locations will likely be in the same or nearby time zone. If you are staying local, you already know the culture, the language, and how systems work, so you can make the transition quickly.
  • Plan, plan, plan. Then make a backup plan. Call ahead and make certain you will have a stable Internet connection and a quiet, comfortable place to work.
  • Work with your team in advance to let them know the scope and duration of your trip. If you don’t abuse the privilege, in most cases your team will support you if unexpected situations arise.
  • Stay positive when you need to make adjustments (and you will!).

My final tip for traveling while working from home? Smile and enjoy! You deserve it after all the effort you made to ensure things run smoothly. Use your time outside of work to experience your new surroundings, and return to your “office” renewed and ready to jump in and be productive.

Working from home can be an incredible, life-expanding experience, as long as you put in the effort to pay close attention to the transition and craft a formula that works for you. I’ve gone through my transition and I can tell you it can work, and for me it would be hard to give it up. If you are ready for this challenge and opportunity, I welcome you to the tribe of the moving laptops!

Photo Credit: Matt Crawford, Flickcr.com Creative Commons.