There are easier things than working while looking after your children – keeping the two activities completely separate, for example. But lockdown living means that’s not possible, so we asked the experts to share their best tips for blending your office and home life like a pro. Rest assured: with broadband powerful enough to keep everyone occupied, the juggle is doable. Just.
1. Create a working environment
One of the biggest challenges of working from home? Getting used to your relaxation space being a place of achievement. So it’s important to try to create an area in your home that becomes a place you associate with work. Ideally, pick somewhere close to the router for reliable wifi, but at the very least, it’s important to just clear a space that’s your own, according to business psychologist Charlotte Armitage.
“Even if it’s simply a part of a table or a corner of a room, you need to create a boundary for work and home life,” says Armitage. “Because once you blur those lines it becomes very difficult to switch off at home and that leads to burnout. Also, your kids will understand that once you’re in that space you’re in your work mode. That will help them learn not to interrupt you.”
2. Get the right kit
Congrats, you have a new job! It’s facilities manager of your own home (don’t ask about the pay). It’s important to make sure you have all the tools to improve your performance. Don’t have a big enough desktop screen? Use your TV. Stuttering video calling? Plug in a gigabit ethernet cable to boost your broadband connection and make frozen Zoom calls a thing of the past.
3. Routine is key
Establishing a daily structure is key for both you and your kids. Every parent’s routine will be different, depending on your job and childcare demands, but it’s vital to ensure your day is separated into chunks of work time and home-schooling time, with your schedule clearly communicated to colleagues who understand when you are and aren’t available. Ensure you also build in time to have fun with your child – it’s important for the wellbeing of both of you, as well as having sneaky productivity benefits, according to Armitage.
“If you can block out an hour to spend quality time with your child, it makes them feel really fulfilled,” she says. “And once they’ve had your full attention, they’re happier about being on their own. So when you need to work, you’ve got time and space to concentrate.”
4. Use tech strategically
When it comes to distracting your kids for long enough for you to get some work done, tech is your friend. But with most kids using it to home school as well as communicate with friends, the novelty of getting time with digital devices is at risk of wearing off – unless you’re strategic about how you use it, according to Anita Cleare, author of The Work/Parent Switch.
“Save the tech that your child will always sit quietly with. Use it for when you’ve got work to deliver that requires a sustained burst of attention,” she says. “If we use tech strategically, it can mean we get the benefit of added time to ourselves – which can be really helpful for your workload.”
5. Stay connected - even if it involves your kids
Now that we’re isolated from our colleagues, it’s important to make sure we stay connected digitally. Use video calling for catch-ups rather than phone, where possible. And don’t fall prey to the ultimate WFH parental worry: your child gate-crashing your video meeting. According to Jane Sparrow, a remote-working expert whose workplace consultancy The Culture Builders helped Chinese companies come to terms with their spell in lockdown in February, the more you resist your offspring appearing on-screen, the less productive a worker you’ll be.
“Think of interruptions as a great opportunity for your colleagues to get to know you better. Take the 60 seconds to let your child be part of the conversation,” says Sparrow.
“It’s much better than the constant nerves of thinking: ‘Oh no, I can’t have my children on screen’, as that just makes you anxious. And anxiety has a huge impact on both your productivity and wellbeing – the two most important things for remote working.”
6. Ensure there’s a clear end to your working day
There comes a point where, no matter how long your to-do list, you need to end your working day. It helps you avoid burnout, gives your family the time they crave from you and lets you relax. One helpful expert tip for bringing work to a stop is doing a daily performance review, where you judge yourself positively – considering the things you accomplished rather than those you didn’t.
“Ask yourself two questions: What did I achieve with my family today? What did I achieve in business? It’s a good conversation to have with your children as well. Every day when I put my daughter to bed we talk about what was good about the day,” says Sparrow. “Thinking about what you have ticked off is really important to put you in a positive space. It really empowers you to try again tomorrow and be productive.”
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