{"id":23769,"date":"2020-03-23T16:55:23","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T22:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vendasta.com\/blog\/?p=23769"},"modified":"2025-10-21T01:57:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T01:57:21","slug":"top-20-dos-and-donts-for-working-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vendasta.com\/blog\/top-20-dos-and-donts-for-working-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 Do’s and Don’ts for Working from Home During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

These are unprecedented times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though the uncertainty and newness of it all can be disconcerting, the good news is that there actually are opportunities for growth and diversification for your agency or small business, if you\u2019re keen to make lemonade out of lemons.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, with many of us working from home, you might be having trouble adjusting to your new work environment. While it will inevitably take some time to get used to, there are some things you can do to maintain your productivity and make the transition easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do’s and Don’ts<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. DO: Set regular work hours and stick to them<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. DON\u2019T: Force yourself to work 9-5<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. DO: Make a list of everything you need to do in a day<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. DON\u2019T: Fall down a social media spiral<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. DO: Plan meals and snacks<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. DON\u2019T: Work in your pajamas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. DO: Define your office boundaries<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. DON\u2019T: Forget to move<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  9. DO: Optimize your setup<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  10. DON\u2019T: Get schlumpy<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  11. DO: Make sure housemates understand when you can\u2019t be interrupted (Plus tips for keeping kids busy!)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  12. DON\u2019T: Become an island<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  13. DO: Take revitalizing breaks<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  14. DON\u2019T: (Necessarily) force yourself to push through unproductivity<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  15. DO: Use different windows, browsers, or even computers (if possible) for your work life and your personal life.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  16. DON\u2019T: Be on screens 24\/7<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  17. DO: Take a breath of fresh air!<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  18. DON\u2019T: Be too hard on yourself<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  19. DO: Use some of your extra time to brush up your skills<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  20. DON\u2019T: Feel like you have to follow all the rules<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Top Tips<\/h2>\n

    1. DO: Set regular work hours and stick to them<\/h3>\n

    Ask any <\/span>remote superstar what their secret is<\/span><\/a>, and this is bound to be near the top of their list. When you\u2019re at home, it\u2019s easy to lose track of what a normal workday is. This can lead to putting way too much, or way too little, time into what you need to do. Setting a regular daily schedule will help you switch your mind into work mode when it\u2019s time to work, and back into play time when it\u2019s time to be done. And when you can do this, you get into a (happy) vicious cycle of work being more productive, and personal time being more fulfilling. #WorkLifeBalance for the win.<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. DON\u2019T: Force yourself to work 9-5<\/h3>\n

    While it\u2019s important to have consistent hours of work, one of the benefits of working from home is that you often have a bit more flexibility regarding when you work those hours. Are you an early bird who feels most alive at the rising of the sun? Feel free to work 6-2! Maybe you\u2019re a late nighter who shouldn\u2019t be allowed to make decisions before 10 a.m.? Shift your work hours to later in the day – even the evening if you prefer – and take the morning to wake up and start your day off right. Just make sure you give yourself some come-down time before you crawl into bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    3. DO: Make a list of everything you need to do in a day<\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019ve never worked remotely before, the change of environment can be a bit jarring, and can throw off your routine (and, as a result, your productivity). To keep yourself focused, make a list of everything you need to get done in the day. Then follow it. This prevents you from drifting off into lower-priority work, forgetting important deadlines, or worse, getting distracted by pets, YouTube videos, or social media.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Making a list can be a great way to kick off your day. Alternatively, some prefer to make a list right at the end of their day so they know they\u2019ll remember everything that needs to be tackled in the morning. <\/span><\/p>\n

    4. DON\u2019T: Fall down a social media spiral<\/h3>\n

    We\u2019ve all been there. Just a quick check on an Instagram notification and all of a sudden 45 minutes has gone by. Not really the best habit to get into.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you have the self-control, set up times when you\u2019re allowed to check notifications. And. Stick. To. Those. Times.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t have it in you (no shame, the first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem), there are tools out there to help. The easiest one is just to turn off notifications, or even your ringer\/text alerts altogether if you can do that. Many phones have options for placing timers on social media apps (iPhone instructions here<\/a>, and <\/span>Android here<\/span><\/a>) or you can use an app to gate yourself to certain times. Here are some of the best ones:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Offtime (<\/span>iPhone download<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Android download<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Moment (<\/span>iPhone download<\/span><\/a>, unfortunately the Android version has been discontinued<\/span>) NOTE: This one is particularly great for monitoring your entire family\u2019s screen time<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Space (iPhone download<\/a>, Android download<\/a>, Chrome download)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      5. DO: Plan meals and snacks<\/h3>\n

      No one feels good after realizing they\u2019ve just plowed through a family-size bag of munchie mix and a full box of Oreos. On the flip side, we do all need to eat, and some of you workaholics know that you can get so into a groove that you forget to eat altogether. You\u2019ll be a stronger worker and feel like a better version of yourself if you have a system in place for your nutrition.<\/span><\/p>\n

      First, it\u2019s a great idea to keep a glass and pitcher of water, or water bottle, with you. Next, designate snack breaks for yourself, and set alarms so you remember to take those breaks. Try to plan snacks ahead so you go for the best option, not just the mindless option. Furthermore, if possible, it\u2019s better to break up that large meal at lunch into <\/span>smaller portions throughout the day<\/span><\/a> – meaning more breaks for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

      For some healthy, energy-maintaining options, check out <\/span>this list.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

      6. DON\u2019T: Work in your pyjamas<\/h3>\n

      I know, I know, I can hear the collective groans. Isn\u2019t wearing comfy clothes one of the main perks of working at home? Yes, it is! Luckily, just because you\u2019re not working in your pyjamas doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t be comfy.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The psychological effects of getting ready for the day and changing into a \u201cwork uniform\u201d shouldn\u2019t be underestimated. In fact, psychologists even have a term for it: \u201c<\/span>enclothed cognition<\/span><\/a>\u201d. Perhaps that explains why this tip is, again, <\/span>one of the most common tip<\/span><\/a>s from experienced remote workers, with some going as far as swearing that <\/span>wearing shoes is their secret to remaining productive all day.<\/span><\/a> How formal you go is up to you, just make sure you feel like you and your best, most productive self.<\/span><\/p>\n

      For a little inspiration, check out these posts:<\/span><\/p>\n