FabSwingers.com forum: Homeworking

By *rHotNotts OP Man
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

For many people this will be new , for some of us not so new and we’ve learned what works over the years.

What tips do you have to share ?

For me I find getting a shower and dressed each morning actually helps get in the work mindset.

Also split the day into 4 and take lunch hour - I never used to when office based, always desk grazed

Work in a separate room if possible , so you can close the door to work each evening

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Try and escape the house in your lunch hour... even if it’s just a walk round block

I home work 2 days a work normally , finding it hard permanently.

Miss going into the office for some social interaction

Mrs x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm on gardening leave now until the end of the month then redundant, not virus related, been known about since last year.

Every day here is the same as its been for months, job searching and training but I think that's going to become extremely difficult during this Virus epidemic.

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By *lanemikeMan
over a year ago

Bolton

"For many people this will be new , for some of us not so new and we’ve learned what works over the years.

What tips do you have to share ?

For me I find getting a shower and dressed each morning actually helps get in the work mindset.

Also split the day into 4 and take lunch hour - I never used to when office based, always desk grazed

Work in a separate room if possible , so you can close the door to work each evening "

All good sense, ran business from home from 1990 onwards but did go out to see clients and contacts which broke things up. This is different....

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By *oubleswing2019Man
over a year ago

Colchester

The move to home working, if you are in a role which is able to be done remotely presents challenges but also opportunities.

My industry has been at the forefront of remote working for many years. I've been doing remote work on companies systems since the early 90's.

But not everyone is as fortunate, and for many the move to home working is going to be difficult and frustrating.

If I can offer any advice to those in the latter category, it's this.

1. Try to stay focussed by creating an environment conducive to how you work normally. If you like noise in the background, have some, be it tv, radio or whatever. If you don't, shut it out. If your desk at work has pics of family and kids, then do the same with your home desk setup. Try to capture the same feel as best you can. Make it comfortable.

2. Hydrate. Probably more than you do in the real office. Have a bottle of water nearby to remind you. It's all to easy to get too focussed and forget sometimes.

3. Stretch and take regular breaks. Your exercise levels are going to be way down, compared to a real office. If you are in an upstairs area, don't use the nearest loo, if you are fortunate to have another downstairs. Use the one furthest away.

This is by no means all the tips I can think of, but these are at the top of my list in terms of importance. YMMV of course.

My number 1 would be some folk's idea of hell. I like complete silence to work in. I have no pictures or photos or other fripperies. I'm getting more done now that I ever do in the office.

I find the lack of social contact to be the icing on the cake. I don't mind talking to folks, but that 5 min chat about a film is 5 mins I'm not using to help my next client with their problem. (And if that client has 10 people relying on them, then 5 mins delay = 55 mins overall wasted).

Managing your time effectively is one of the biggest challenges.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I live in a shared house and all 3 of us are home working. It's a pain the ass. First one up gets living room, second one up gets kitchen table. Last one up has to work in their bedroom.

Guess where my lazy ass has been set up all week?

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By *ionaScarletTV/TS
over a year ago

Dundee

My tip

If you have more than one computer - eg. a work computer and a home computer.

Unplug the home computer - don't just shut it down - unplug it. And if you can - move peripherals (monitors, keyboard, keyboard/mouse etc) to your work computer.

I find unplugging my monitors from my home computer and using them on my work laptop means I don't get distracted. Its only a 5 minute task - but its enough to put me in work mode. Works equally in reverse too. Putting the monitors back at 5pm means I've left work

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Okay, some tips from someone who genuinely loves working from home and thinks this is the future.

1) set your mood - so first thing you do when you get up, you make breakfast, tea/coffee and get your work laptop on. Do a bit of reading online while having breakfast, then get in the shower.

You're now setup, chilled and ready to start.

Get your headphones, plug them into your laptop and get spotify on the go. If you have a hdmi slot on your laptop - use it, and plug it into an external monitor or your tv. Build a playlist as you go. This will help you to chill out, and settle in to the world of home working.

2) Take 2-5 minute break every hour. Lock your laptop and leave the room - put the kettle on and make yourself a brew. Important to hydrate throughout the day, and this is an easy way of handling that.

3) Lunch - lock your laptop and close it. Go into your kitchen and actually cook - you have about an hour, you have plenty of time to cook a proper nutritious meal, take your time eating it, with 20 minutes to unwind and chill out.

4) Wfh with your partner at home - during work hours, treat them as you would a colleague. Explain this to them, then when you finish, the time you spend together is more worthwhile.

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By *eonnieCouple
over a year ago

Worsley

Home working is new to me. The first day was not great, didn't have a second screen, didn't have a mouse pad and the chair was so uncomfortable that I got backache. Did my research and got myself a massive gym ball and the other bits I needed to basically set up a mini office. My productivity apparently almost doubled so I should probably take more breaks. Struggling a bit with kids being at home too, but I'm sure in time we'll find our rythm and make this work well..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’m going to struggle massively. Single parent, full time 37hrs, three kids (youngest of 5).

No idea how I’m going to get all my work done

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

Well all week I have been working on my bed this weekend I have moved my Mac keyboard and mouse to one side and have set up laptop

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

For me I have scheduled 1 hour breaks in my diary for lunch and tell the team chat when I am logging on and off.

This has caused some conflicts as I got sent a please do Something today at 4.45 when I have been in since 8.30. Party as I moving roles and my new boss is not used to my working pattern

We also have had a virtual lunch, and we have a can based meeting every morning. Managed it I just need to get used to it nown

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By *lanemikeMan
over a year ago

Bolton

"Home working is new to me. The first day was not great, didn't have a second screen, didn't have a mouse pad and the chair was so uncomfortable that I got backache. Did my research and got myself a massive gym ball and the other bits I needed to basically set up a mini office. My productivity apparently almost doubled so I should probably take more breaks. Struggling a bit with kids being at home too, but I'm sure in time we'll find our rythm and make this work well.."

Hey that brought back memories !!! When I first started on my own a bought a cheap crappy office chair and like you suffered from backache. Replaced to chair and had a miraculous recovery !! Motto: Do not by cheap office furniture....!!

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By *lanemikeMan
over a year ago

Bolton

"I’m going to struggle massively. Single parent, full time 37hrs, three kids (youngest of 5).

No idea how I’m going to get all my work done "

I feel for you......the inconvenience I am suffering is by comparison miniscule. Really hope you find some support, you sound like you will need it... Good luck !!!

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

We had a virtual beer/prosecco/coffee on Friday just after 5. We usually go for a drink on a Friday and it was decent to have a social cam chat with my colleagues in a more relaxed way. Kids, dogs, spouses and all sorts got involved, so it was rather different to our usual dynamic, but can recommend some sort of virtual chill session in the week too.

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By *rHotNotts OP Man
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

Home working is a good time to start experimenting with standing desk, as kit is usually bad. Once you do you will never look back , start by alternating until you get used to it , you are more focussed standing and will burn 5x the calories and get much more done. Your back will thank you for it too

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By *rHotNotts OP Man
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

"For me I have scheduled 1 hour breaks in my diary for lunch and tell the team chat when I am logging on and off.

This has caused some conflicts as I got sent a please do Something today at 4.45 when I have been in since 8.30. Party as I moving roles and my new boss is not used to my working pattern

We also have had a virtual lunch, and we have a can based meeting every morning. Managed it I just need to get used to it nown"

Home work patterns are very different , I often start at 4 or 5am do all the high priority stiff before UK comes online, then take an afternoon nap and often do an hour in the evening when US is online. Just tell your boss/company you will work the hours and patterns that are effective and they may be very different , they will quickly learn to judge you on output not working hours

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By *rHotNotts OP Man
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

"The move to home working, if you are in a role which is able to be done remotely presents challenges but also opportunities.

My industry has been at the forefront of remote working for many years. I've been doing remote work on companies systems since the early 90's.

But not everyone is as fortunate, and for many the move to home working is going to be difficult and frustrating.

If I can offer any advice to those in the latter category, it's this.

2. Hydrate. Probably more than you do in the real office. Have a bottle of water nearby to remind you. It's all to easy to get too focussed and forget sometimes.

This is by no means all the tips I can think of, but these are at the top of my list in terms of importance. YMMV of course.

My number 1 would be some folk's idea of hell. I like complete silence to work in. I have no pictures or photos or other fripperies. I'm getting more done now that I ever do in the office.

Managing your time effectively is one of the biggest challenges."

Good tips - your number 1 is spot on, silence and clear desk/walls works , put music on , burn incense, have a coffee/cigarette in the breaks bit not in work sessions - but keep the 45min works sessions 100% distraction free

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By *izandpaulCouple
over a year ago

merseyside

For me, it was watching my back.

Sitting at a dining table was not the answer.

Luckily, by accident, many years ago I used an ironing board for an hour, standing while working. Never looked back, the company I work for have been wonderful, nothing too much trouble.

Try to make your home workspace just that, a workspace. Not just a temporary gap on the kitchen table between meals. You will get there in the end but does take some adjustment, stick with it. Good luck.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My first day home working was spent playing on my phone, browsing the internet, swiping on Tinder and Bumble looking for a date, watching Band of Brothers.

Got to 4pm before I did any work. Nearly got my wrist slapped for that one

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By *J swingCouple
over a year ago

North

I cannot work from home as I'm a site manager at a school so I need to go in and open the school to the most valuable people,also schools have to have a full on deep clean.

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