I actually do all of the below things. These are strategies I have arrived at over 7+ years of remote work (even pre-covid, I know, weird), and they work very well for me.
🤫 Keep it quiet
No work notifications on your phone. Have the apps for when you need to use them, but no notifications.
✂️ Keep it separated
All your work apps go in a folder on the last page of your phone. Prevent yourself from opening your work email just because you see it. Out of sight, out of mind. Only go there on purpose when you need it for something.
✉️ ... yes, even your email app
Use a separate email app for work. I use Gmail for work only, and use the free Edison email app for my personal email accounts.
➗ Divide your space
Physically separate your space so work doesn’t creep into your life when your laptop is closed. This is easy with a dedicated home office, but even in a 600sq ft apartment, I have a room divider so I can’t even see my desk from across the room. (And it looks great too.)
🗓️ Prepare for tomorrow
Always schedule your tomorrow, today. This prevents you from compulsively opening work stuff because it’s easy to. When you’re prepared and know what your day is tomorrow, no need to check your to-do’s at 11PM.
📵 Don’t share your phone number
Your phone number is yours, not your company’s. They have enough ways to reach you if they need to that don’t involve giving your boss the ability to call you on a Saturday night.
🛏️ No working in bed
Your bed is not your desk, I don't care what you say. Working in bed is not only bad for your posture and maybe your productivity, but it's definitely bad for your sleep habits. And when you don't sleep well because you were working in bed, you're worse at your job. Don't do it.
🗝️ Calendar coordination is key
Sync your calendars so you can see your work and personal calendars in one place. I even have to-do apps that block to-do tasks on both my personal and work calendars, so when I look at my Google Cal, I see my personal events and to-dos, and my work events and to-dos, all in one place. This prevents you from pulling your hair out when you double book.
📕 Bookend your day
Whatever your routine is, have one. I have a morning coffee routine before work, and I go for a dip in the ocean after work. Bookends remind you that work doesn't have to be all-encompassing and can set mental barriers up to protect your off-time from intrusive work thoughts.
🎤 Communicate your schedule
Tell your team your work hours, and use a tool like Clockwise to block your work calendar during personal calendar events and set your working hours in your Google Calendar. WFH means it's okay to have that midday chiropractor appt or to have a daily walk around the block in your schedule. Just be an adult, get your work done, and nobody cares. Communicating your schedule helps to set expectations so people don't get disappointed when it takes more than 0.003 seconds to respond on Slack.
Comments