While working at home during the coronavirus era might’ve seemed easy at the beginning, many people now know that’s not always the case. There are plenty of distractions at your place of abode, including Netflix and the army of scrumptious snacks in your pantry, but we’re to help you focus.
According to Flexjobs, 3.4% of the U.S. population works remotely, which is about 4.7 million people. And in mid-March, many more joined that group (including us). To keep you more productive than ever from the comfort of your home, we’ve come up with the essential do’s and don’ts of working at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you work in the cannabis industry or not, you can use these tips to maintain your A-game working remotely.
Do Create a Designated Work Space
Although it may be tempting to reel in your laptop to the comfort of your bed, it’s not the best idea. Not only is it bad for your back, but it blurs the line between work and relaxation. Preserve the connection of relaxation to your bed, and find a quiet place to work where you can focus. Set up a desk and a comfortable chair somewhere isolated from any distractions. We also advise you to make it feel like your desk at the office, so decorate it and stock up on notebooks, post-its, and pens. You might also want to invest in a printer that only works half the time for authenticity. And leave your work at your designated space so you won’t lose a place to “come home” to.
Don’t Snack All Day
Snacks are already dangerous in the office. However, at home where nobody is watching, they can take over your life. Sure, snacking a couple of times while you work at home is fine, but try not to constantly hang around your pantry. Prepare healthy snacks for yourself in advance and set a snack schedule, so you can focus on the tasks that need to be done. IRI Worldwide reports that 47% of Americans have more than three snacks a day, which is a number that’s increased in the last four years. It’s rather easy to open a box of Oreos in the morning and realize you’ve finished them by the end of your workday. Stay strong and monitor your work-time snacking.
Do Prioritize Your Tasks
Prioritizing your tasks will help you stay productive and focused while working at home. Make a list of everything you need to accomplish before you start your day. Then differentiate between what’s urgent and what’s important. Anything that needs to be completed before the end of the day or has high-priority dependencies shoots up to the top of your list. From there, you can look at your important tasks and determine what has the most value for your company. For the remaining tasks that carry equal weight, tackle the ones that will take the most effort first. You can use organizational apps (our cannabis staffing team likes Evernote or Notebook) to keep track of everything digitally.
Don’t Stream Movies or TV Shows
With so many streaming services, it’s easy to start playing your favorite movie or TV show while you work. However, it will more than likely be a distraction. Keep your TV off and avoid streaming anything from your smartphone while working at home for smooth sailing. Ambient noise, such as the low chatter of co-workers at the office, is comforting and may help you focus. If you need ambient sounds, check out Coffitivity, which provides you with a continuous loop of background noise. You can also sign up with Flow State–a service that sends you music perfect for working. Lastly, you can always create your own playlist for working at home.
Do Microdose Cannabis
Microdosing is the practice of taking small amounts of cannabis to gain the medical benefits of THC without its psychoactive effects. So, how much is the right amount? It depends on your tolerance, so we highly recommend you figure that out on the weekend. Dr. Michelle Ross–Cannabis Consultant and Plant Medicine Coach–recommends starting with 2.5 milligrams. Taking the right low dose will help you relieve anxiety and can help you feel optimistic–you may crack a smile more than usual, which is much needed right now. Our cannabis staffing team believes it’s better than having a beer or going outside to light up a cigarette. Depending on how you react to microdosing, you can try it during your lunch break or toward the end of the workday.
Don’t Get Sidetracked by Social Media
Social media can be healthy in small doses while working at home. However, jumping on social media every chance you get is a problem. Social media channels provide an endless amount of content, and sometimes you can go down a rabbit hole that will throw off your whole workday. According to Habit Growth, the average American spends a quarter of their workday on social media, leading to decreased productivity. But we’re not advising you to unplug from social media completely–we know the importance of random pet videos and food photos. Set some ground rules for yourself, and only go on social media during your routine breaks. If you find it hard to stay away from social media on the clock, download Freedom. This software allows you to block websites and apps.
Do Communicate With Your Team
Communicating with your team while you’re working remotely is crucial to the performance of any company. Many potential problems can arise with a lack of communication, so stay on top of updates and alert your co-workers about anything urgent. You’re not on your own, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. There are plenty of digital tools available to help you stay connected, such as Slack, Zoom, and Workplace. To get a quick answer, you can always call, text, or email. Remember to be as thorough as possible when texting or emailing, but be concise as well.
Don’t Forget to Take Breaks
Sometimes when you work from home, you can get caught up on a project that keeps your brain in focus mode for too long. It may sound counterintuitive, but taking breaks can boost your productivity and creativity. Schedule a few breaks throughout your work session at home, so your mind can reset. When you are taking an adult recess, step away from your workspace, and get your mind off of your tasks. Grab a healthy snack, meditate, read a book, or do some other activity that relaxes your mind. By taking breaks throughout your day, you can avoid the dreaded mid-afternoon slump.
Working at home during the coronavirus era is new for a lot of people. If you need any advice regarding working from home, the cannabis industry, or cannabis staffing, please don’t hesitate to reach out at contact@cannabizteam.com.
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