But that doesn’t mean you have to work from home in 2021 the same way you did in 2020. We combed through our coverage from the past year to gather our top tips on improving your remote office setup and routine so that you can get the most out of working from home this year.
Make a schedule.
If you’re juggling working from home with taking care of the kids, it’s essential that you establish a routine for everyone in your household. Schedules provide stability and help alleviate the logistical burden of having to constantly make decisions about how to manage everyone’s day.
“If your children are old enough, have them brainstorm with you on how to organize their day so that they get their school work done, balanced with physical activity, outdoor time, and unscheduled free time,” says Dr. Darlene Kertes, Director of Developmental Psychology at the University of Florida. Although Kertes recommends sticking to your schedule most days, be open to changing things up if something’s not working. (Tap here for more advice on working from home with kids.)
Add a few plants.
Greenery is a must for any office. Plants not only make a space more inviting — so that your office is a place you actually want to be — but also can affect your work. Studies show that having greenery around can lead to better idea generation, concentration, productivity, and even happiness, according to Codi Leitner, the Community and Events Manager at direct-to-consumer plant company Bloomscape, an Industrious partner.
Another reason to invest in a little greenery? They can help create a healthier space. “Plants act as a natural air purifier and are incredibly effective at removing toxins found in everyday materials like paint, carpets, and plastics,” says Leitner. (Tap here for advice on choosing the right plants for your office.)
Bond with your coworkers.
When you don’t regularly share an office with your colleagues, it can be a lot harder to get to know them. There’s much less informal interaction, and body language and tone are both much harder to decipher on a video call than they are in-person.
“Even though many of us can’t be face-to-face with coworkers right now, it’s important to have something fun to do together and to know that you can support each other,” says David Goldstein, the COO (Creator of Opportunities) at Teambonding.com, which has hosted more than 1,000 virtual programs for companies since March. Making an effort to get to know your coworkers better can help you build a stronger team and also brighten your day by giving you a little social interaction to look forward to. (Tap here for advice on how to bond with your coworkers.)