It seems clear that we'll all be at home for a while now, so it's time to really get to work. By now you've figured out that you need a dedicated work space, which isn't the couch. Full disclosure, I'm typing this blog from my couch - more on that later. But back to that dedicated work space - make sure you have one. The key word here is dedicated. If you're using the dining room table, your work needs to be put away for dinner and you'll have to set up again every morning, which is a waste of time. If you have kids, the same goes for them. Until last month, my kids did their homework at the dining room table. It was always mildly annoying, but not enough to do anything about it. But in early March, we bought a couple of inexpensive plastic tables that fold up and slide away when you don't need them, "just in case". Now the kids have those tables in their respective rooms, and all their school work and supplies are right their at their fingertips for their digital learning days. Everyone wins when they have their own space to work. Make sure you have your own space too.

So why am I typing on the couch right now? First, I only have a single, small task I want to accomplish - typing this blog. I've been trying to get to it for almost a week now, and it keeps falling by the wayside. That's because for me, when I sit at my desk, it's hard-core work mode. I get deeply involved in databases and code and development, oh my. "Lighter work" tends to get pushed off, so sometimes I mix things up a little to get more done. Which leads me to my second work from home tip - figure out what makes you productive so you can replicate it. Do you need background music on, is the room temperature comfortable, do you prefer natural light, etc. Observe everything around you, and when you discover what works best for you, stick with it.

Daily productivity isn't just dictated by your external environment either. Back in the day, I had a Franklin Planner that I used religiously. My tools have changed since then, but the idea behind them is still the same - plan your day. Take a few minutes when you start your day reviewing what's on your list. Pick the critical few tasks and focus on those. Do this EVERY DAY. I like to do it even on non-work days, if only for the joy of crossing things off the list when they get done. The point is, have a plan. Even if the plan changes, which is sometimes will, you've at least thought about the bigger picture, and can adjust accordingly.

My final tip for you before I get off my couch is headphones. Unless you live alone, get a pair of headphones. I actually have two pairs. The first one is from Home Depot. You know those heavy duty, full ear covering, ugly things that the guys in the auto repair shops use to protect their ears from loud machinery? I've got those. When I need to block out the world and really concentrate on something, those are my go-to headphones. They block out so much sound I can hear my own breathing, and they were only about $10. My other headphones are a comfortable, cordless, noise cancelling set that I can use for phone calls or listening to videos or music. No one else in the house has to listen to whatever I'm doing, and I don't have to listen to them either. More winning for everyone!  Once upon a time they were great for airline travel too... 

Until next time, stay home, stay safe, and wash your hands.

Like a majority of small businesses, we started this whole adventure "working from home."  But there's a stigma around working from home. Admit it, you imagine people who work from home watching Netflix all day and eating bon bons while answering the occasional email. Oh, how I wish that were true! In some regards, it certainly can be - for people who only work at home once in a while, or for people who are new to the whole thing, like most of America right now. Coronavirus has thrown everyone for a loop, and we're here to help. We've been doing this for a long time, and there is an adjustment period. You will flounder. You will watch Netflix. And a lot of you will probably be homeschooling your kids at the same time now too - this is our biggest adjustment!  But we have tips that we will share.  So keep checking back, keep your head up, and we will get through this together.

Tip #1

Allow yourself an adjustment period.

Everything has happened so fast that you're undoubtedly reeling in confusion and uncertainty right now. We don't know how long this will last, or what the long term impacts will be. The only thing we do know is that we're all adjusting to a "new normal" right now. So allow yourself some time to grieve for what's been lost over the last weeks, and focus on the "critical few". Do you need food? Do you need medical attention? Do you need internet services? That's where you need to focus right now. We're all in the same boat, so answering that work email can probably wait while you get your wits about you. And that includes binging a little Netflix in the meantime.