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before you begin. Try solidifying your various digital technology tools on
schedule the day before, it makes it feel your computer. Key tools are
more official when you wake up the Microsoft Teams, Skype and
next day to get started on it. Google Hangouts. Making
sure you have the apps
Write a ‘to do’ list pre-installed, properly
A top productivity hack is that registered, logged
12 you can only stay focused for in and up to date
25 minutes at a time, so write yourself ensures you won’t
a to do list with activities that take 25 be left stressed by
minutes to complete, or at most three the technology
sets of 25 minutes. Then take a break. slowing you down
It’s called the Pomodoro Technique. when you should
Don’t think one list a day is going to be focusing on
work. Write one in the morning and one connecting.
in the evening for things you need to
do tomorrow – that will keep you on the Communicate
straight and narrow. expectations
16 with anyone
Write a ‘to done’ list who will be home
Write a list of all the things you with you
13 have done. It’s a great way to Of course, you might be
take control and feel as though you have working from home but still
accomplished something during the have ‘company’. Make sure
day. Even the small things are wins and any roommates, siblings, parents,
will keep your vibe high into the coming spouses, and dogs (well, maybe not
days and weeks. dogs) respect your space during work
hours. Just because you’re working
Write a gratitude list from home doesn’t mean you’re home.
When working alone, it’s Pick a definitive finishing
14 important to take responsibility Take clear breaks time each day
for your own health and well-being. It can be so easy to get 19 You might be under the
Take breaks, exercise and invest in 17 distracted when working from impression that working from home
your mental well-being. A great way to home that you try to avoid breaks establishes more work-life balance,
do this is by writing a daily gratitude altogether. Don’t let the guilt of working but be careful with that assumption.
journal of three things you are grateful in the building you sleep in prevent you Working from home can also feel
for each day. You can get advanced with from taking five to relax. Rather than like being at a casino – you can get so
this and do three things you want to go just opening YouTube and watching caught up in your activity, in a relaxing
well today in the morning, including some comfort clips, however, use your environment, that you completely lose
what you can do to affect the outcome breaks to get away from your desk. track of time. In lieu of co-workers
(great before digital meetings) Go for a walk outside or packing up and leaving the office to
followed by three things spend time with others remind you to do the same, set an
in the evening that who might also be in alarm at the end of the day to indicate
went well, what the house. your normal work day is coming to an
you are grateful end. You don’t have to stop at exactly
for and how you that time, but knowing the work day is
can do better 18 technically over can help you start the
tomorrow. process of saving your work and calling
Prepare your it quits for the evening.
meals the night
before Get outside and move!
15 When you’re Even though you are working
Use technology in your own 20 from home and movement is
to stay connected home, it can be restricted, it doesn’t mean you can’t
Working from tempting to spend enjoy your garden or the local park.
home might help you time preparing a Get outside and move, and if you don’t
focus on your work in really nice breakfast want to leave the house then use at
the short term, but it can and lunch for yourself, home fitness apps like FIIT, Apptiv or
also make you feel cut off from the chopping and cooking included. YouTube to get moving daily and keep
larger operation. Instant messaging Don’t use precious minutes making your vibe high.
and videoconferencing tools can your food during the working day, cook
make it easy to check in with co- it the night before. Preparing food The NHIC is running digital drop-in
workers and remind you how your ahead of time ensures you can actually sessions to support members to help their
work is contributing to the big picture. use your meal times to eat, and that you staff, customers and colleagues during this
Make sure you use the early days of aren’t performing non-work tasks that unprecedented time. If you feel this would
working from home to install all the spend energy better used at your desk. be of help to you, visit www.nhic.org.uk

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