As a nation-wide Sage partner, our team has worked remotely from coast-to-coast for years. With people all over the country making the transition to working from home for a while, we'd like to share some advice from our remote team on how they successfully work outside of the office and cope with the every day distractions that can pop up at home.
Set Boundaries and manage your time within them
Have a "get ready for work" routine in the morning just as if you are going to the office. Get up, get dressed, empty the dishwasher, whatever you normally do before you hit the road, keep doing it!
Jenna Crowther, Solution Architect
California
Be sure to set some boundaries. Working from home can easily become living at work if you don't set some boundaries in the evening hours to put the phone and laptop down.
Take small breaks. Step outside for a few minutes, check the mailbox, stay active so you're not sitting at your desk for hours at a time.
If you have trouble managing your time, add your to-do list to your calendar as individual meeting appointments to hold yourself accountable while blocking out the time to commit and complete.
Walt Goodfield, EVP Sales and Marketing
Ohio
Set defined work times. It is very easy to blur your workday when working from the home office. There is no definitive "beginning" and "end" to the day as you have when you arrive at and leave the office. Resist the temptation to be in your work area, and a work frame of mind, much later than you would normally be.
Bill Collinson, Senior Application Developer
Indiana
Create a Dedicated Work space
I find the dedicated work space is very important. I also create a to do list so that I know the items that absolutely need completed for the day. Helps you keep on task if you have kids or a pet at home that may cause the occasional distraction
Matt Rohrer, Solution Architect
Pennsylvania
As Matt said, create a dedicated work space. Your bedroom is the worse possible place to have your laptop.
Bill Collinson, Senior Application Developer
Indiana
Do something to make your space personal and fun. I always have fresh flowers on my desk. Being lucky enough to have a whole room, I painted it bright yellow-orange that my hubby hates.
Becky Keene, Solution Architect
California
Definitely have a space set up as your designated work space even if it is a folding table in the corner of your bedroom or dining room. Also, ignore all of the household things begging to be addressed (dishes, laundry, etc)...you wouldn't do them if you were working in the office!
Jenna Crowther, Solution Architect
California
Be Patient with your family
Family members must understand that despite the fact that you are under the same roof, you are working! I believe that is the most difficult hurdle. Take advantage of lunch break, and have lunch together. Let them know (do not disturb signage) if there are particular times each day you cannot be disturbed (on a call, providing a demo, or on a webinar)Have a dedicated space for your work - mine is in a corner of our finished basement - cool in the summer and warm in the winter! 😊
Michelle Laudano, Customer Success Manager
Connecticut
I just set up my Bose bluetooth speaker to play soft music in the background (2018 Christmas Present, never used before); to eliminate the conversations, and footsteps of others in the house. Pretty much we have decided my husband will work from the basement office space, I am in the second floor office space, and our daughter will have the first floor to herself.
Madeline Stefanou, Consultant
New Jersey
Sometimes you just have to roll with the differences that pop up from working at home. For example, after a few calls with my cat meowing loudly outside the office door, I learned just to leave the door open to avoid the whole let-me-in, let-me-out, let-me-in, routine.
Laura Atkins, Marketing Manager
Pennsylvania
My biggest disruption has always been my very "talkative" dog. I try to limit his outbursts by placing a sign on the door that tells people not to knock or ring the doorbell, and leave deliveries at the door unless it requires a signature. Our FedEx guy is pretty much a ninja. :)
It's also easy to miss the personal interaction of other humans. I always try to get some time in to chat with coworkers on the phone for a little bit - at least once per week. It's healthy to continue to build your relationships with the people you work with - don't dismiss that. When you work in an office it's pretty common to chat with others in the kitchen or hallways.
Jennifer Pitt, Solution Architect
Arizona
I worked from home for years with small children. It is possible but takes plenty of patience and a little training. It always helped to have something for them to do in my office space like a coloring or craft space just for them. Don't be afraid to put a client on mute or ask them to hold if the dogs bark or the kids cry. Everyone is facing a lot of the same difficulties. Be patient with your families and yourself as you adjust and figure out what works for you!!
Jenna Crowther, Solution Architect
California
