Management tips for working from home when working from home has changed

With so many people working from home as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, freelancers and solo business owners may be experiencing a different problem than many. They may be sharing working space with more people than before, not less, perhaps including toddlers on up to college students. This change in working conditions can dramatically affect one’s perceptions, if not the reality of the situation. Managing the following five realms can help freelancers cope: expectations, boundaries, time, energy level, and stress.

Expectations management

To say that the world is going through a rough patch is an understatement. Though it may seem like a good coping mechanism, clinging to pre-COVID-19 routines, including everything from daily schedule to division of household chores, may not help the situation. The global economy is different for the time being, so we should set the expectation with ourselves, our families, clients, and now-remote coworkers that many things may be different. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t try to soldier on the best we can and attempt to meet all our deadlines and goals and household cleaning schedules as if it were just a normal season, but that we should give ourselves and others a break should we fall short.

Boundaries management

Introverts who usually spend much of their days in quiet intense focus on their work may be surprised at just how much regular human contact their extravert family members who now work at home with them need. With teens and adults, fairly firm boundaries can be set. Don’t be afraid to tape “Do Not Disturb” signs around your work area and don headphones to discourage chit-chatting. Younger children can be directed to play or work independently for a period of time, though this may be much shorter than the adults would like. Arrange to tag-team with others at home to spread the interruption-handling around.

Time management

You may have worked on your time management skills in the past at points in your career. If you ever needed those skills, it’s now. Others suddenly sharing your home office likely find that they have sooo much more time because of the lack of commute and the closures and cancellations of most extracurricular activities.

Freelancers and solo-preneurs likely have less time than before, as more people at home means more interruptions and distractions and less periods of peaceful calm. In addition, some work may have dried up, requiring more prospecting and hustling to find new gigs. Review and practice time management basics, including prioritizing your to-do list and batching similar tasks.

Energy level management

Productivity experts say that individuals are different in regards to their daily energy level patterns. Some start the day ready to tackle the most difficult items on their to-do list while others find that they don’t hit their stride until mid-morning. While it is common to hit a sleepy slump after lunch, others find that this time is perfect for focusing on writing or creative work for a few hours. Schedule your most important tasks for the times when your energy level is best suited to handle them.

Don’t neglect the activities and practices that contribute to your well-being. You may miss your gym membership but can still exercise indoors, following along with a video, or dancing to music. You may not have to get up as early in the morning as before, but do go to bed at the same time. Getting enough rest helps your immune system, in addition to helping your productivity level through the day.

Stress management

Uncertainty is a major contributor to stress, and we are all navigating a giant sea of uncertainty these days. Stress wreaks havoc on our productivity and suppresses our immune systems. It can damage relationships, which we need more than ever. It is essential to manage your own stress levels and to help those who live with you to recognize when their stress is high.

Reduce stress through healthy mechanisms such as deep breathing, meditation, exercise, prayer, talking with a friend, or playing with a pet. If you are used to coping with stress by eating carbs, drinking alcohol, or watching mindless entertainment, you may not be able to cut these out entirely at this extra-stressful time, but consider expanding your repertoire of stress-beating strategies.

Pandemics have gripped the world before, and like those, this one will also pass. By managing and controlling those things you can, and seeking to be adaptable, resilient, and forgiving whenever possible, you can minimize the disruption COVID-19 will have on your work and personal life.