These are strange times to be an apprentice. If you’re one of the lucky ones who’ve escaped redundancy (and 12% haven’t – according to Sutton Trust research from October last year), there’s a good chance you’re working from home right now. How do you stay productive in this environment? As a homeworker myself, I’ve learned what strategies actually work. Best of all, these five self-management skills will serve you well for the rest of your career, whether we return to the office regularly or not.
Set boundaries
Interruptions are the enemy of work, so it’s vital to establish boundaries and let your parents/guardians/siblings know you need time to focus. Ask them (in the nicest way possible) not to interrupt you. It’s easier if you have your own room, but if you’re in a share situation, headphones can help. You could also negotiate times when you really need the room to concentrate on something – with the promise you’ll return the favour.
Manage yourself
This isn’t just about avoiding obvious distractions like your phone. It’s about taking stock and planning for the day ahead.
Each night, spend five minutes thinking about the next day. Ask yourself what three things you need to accomplish – one hard, one medium, and one easy. At the end of that day, review how you did. Make a note of what you achieved and reward yourself. Is there anything you could do differently tomorrow? At the end of the week, email your manager with a summary of the things you achieved. It doesn’t need to be long – just a few bullet points.
Write a list (and just do it)
On days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed, resist the temptation to work in your pyjamas; you won’t be in the right frame of mind. Instead, create a to-do list of super simple tasks. Have a shower. Eat breakfast. Send one email. Just ticking them off your list will generate a feeling of momentum. One of the most important things you can learn in life is that you don’t need to feel motivated to start doing things. Often it’s action that inspires motivation, not the other way around.
Don’t overdo it
When you’re keen to make a good impression, there can be a tendency to overdo it, and suddenly your work-life balance is out of whack. That’s why it’s important to set time for rest. Include short breaks in your day, a proper lunch hour and some time outdoors, and speak to your manager if your workload is preventing you from taking breaks. Also, have a regular finishing time and a treat lined up for the evening. That’ll give you something to look forward to.
Get physical
If you’ve been sitting and staring at a screen all day, the best way to switch off is to do something physical like jogging around the park or a few minutes of jumping jacks. The rush of endorphins will calm you and help you stay positive. If you can’t move around, deep breathing will also provide those mood-boosting endorphins.
