People love to rave about the benefits of remote work. No more long commutes. We get to operate on your terms, in a comfortable atmosphere. As companies begin their return to office, the opportunity to work from home has become a highly coveted privilege. In many ways, it can be liberating.
But for many, this can create unique challenges: complicated family dynamics, crowded spaces, noisy surroundings. A hectic environment can significantly derail your productivity. And with libraries and coffee shops closed to the public, there isn’t anywhere else you can go.
At least, that was my experience. Last March, I was sent home during my last semester at college due to Covid. Two of my brothers were now remote learning like I was. The other, an energetic 18-year-old with special needs, also returned home from his residential home.
Needless to say, it was rough at first. Gone was my dorm room, a few minutes away from the library. Now I competed with 5 other people for space in an environment full of distractions.
Home comes with additional obligations that interrupt you at random: from being resident IT support my parents or resident babysitter for a disruptive sibling. These obligations don’t come on a schedule either; they interrupt at random. Unlike before, I couldn’t head to the library or a coffee shop to get things done. What began as my best semester ended my weakest; instead of finishing strong, I limped through the finish line.
At the time, I scoured the internet for ways to navigate my new working environment. The advice didn’t apply to my current situation. Several tips didn’t apply to me at all. I didn’t have my own room, let alone a “home office.” I simply couldn’t relate.
Luckily, I adapted. I found ways to protect my energy, focus, and productivity. Here are some techniques that have helped me stay on top of things during this unusual time.
1. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
This should be self-explanatory. The key here is noise-canceling. With them, I can drown out all the commotion and hone in on your work. It’s easier to stay fully engaged on virtual calls, and keep background noise at bay. At the same time, wearing them communicates to everyone else that I’m busy and unavailable at the moment. My Bose Headphones have been a godsend the past several months. Having them was critical to regaining control of my energy and focus. Sometimes, I don’t even listen to anything with my headphones on — the very act of donning them puts me in the proper headspace.
2. Find a workspace in the home
Not everyone has access to a study room at their residence. But “space” doesn’t have to be a completely separate enclosure; think of a desk or a couch. Any modicum of control over my workspace is better than nothing, and keeping that area organized helps keep my work life organized too. If I can’t leave my stuff there, I look for a cabinet or drawer where I can organize my things and bring them over to the desk when it’s time to work. The goal is to switch your brain into “work mode” every time you sit down in the seat. For me, that means sitting at my desk when I need to work, but moving to my bed when it’s time to relax. That small degree of separation does wonders in helping me flip between honing in and chilling out.
3. Wake up Early
Mornings can be chaotic: fighting over the bathroom; commotion in the kitchen; the general hoopla as everyone revs up their engine and starts their daily routines.
To avoid the pitfalls of a bustling home, I strive to get up before things are so… bustling. It pays to wake up before everyone else does. The early morning contains the calmest and most prolific hours of the day.
With those extra few hours, I can get a few extra tasks done before noon. I’m have more leeway to ease into the day, with a book, or mediation. Either way, I’m ready to attack the day while my energy is high so later, I can take my foot off the gas when the day winds down.
4. Setting Boundaries
This one can be the most difficult. If you’ve lived with a group of people for a long enough time, habits and dynamics can be pretty set in stone. Sometimes, to succeed, we need a clean slate: a reevaluation of what is acceptable, and what is not, given the new circumstances.
For me, the biggest trouble was being able to segment my time. As mentioned before, as the oldest sibling, being at home meant increased responsibilities. Everyone needed me for something.
Family members would storm into my room, demanding help for problems that seemed to multiply by the day. Sometimes, these interruptions were quick; other times, they stretched on to hours.
I made schedules only to have them derailed by random errands and tasks. At the day’s end, a lot of my most important tasks remained unfinished.
With each switch between contexts came a loss of momentum. I compensated for my lack of results by working more. I was perpetually busy, trapped in a cycle of overwork, stress, and burnout with nothing to show for it. It was incredibly draining. I had to do a better job of preserving my energy.
How to Overcome
To get over this, I had to do a few things. First of which was to have a few tough conversations. Being upfront about your needs and boundaries gets everyone on the same page. This is twice as important when working from home; this new context requires a new set of boundaries to go over, in detail. More generally, drive home the point that though you may be at home, you’re really at work (school, etc.).
Secondly, I had to reconsider my time management strategy. Instead of blocking out time for specific objectives, I created a system: red, yellow, and green. Red time was blocked out for important tasks that required my full attention; for them, I’d find a room, close the door, and get to work. Yellow was for less demanding work, that I could do in the living room with people around. I’d be more available during these hours. These yellow time blocs built flexibility into my schedule. I was more proactive in letting them know when I’d be free, and what times were off-limits.
I accomplished much more during the day. Blocs opened up for family time, and me time, without sacrificing results.
5. Bring it outside
With libraries and coffee shops out of commission, we can forget that nature itself can be as good a workspace as any. In our modern lives, it’s easy to forget how important it is to get outside. So if weather permits, why not bring your work outside? A quiet spot outdoors can be the answer to many problems. Whenever I’m working outside, whether it’s a park or my backyard, I’m separated from the commotion of home life. If I find a spot with Wi-Fi, even better! Don’t let the pandemic keep you from getting some sunlight and fresh air. Bring your books, notebooks, and the like outside as you get important tasks done under the Sun.
6. Reserve a study room at the local library
Though libraries are closed, many still offer study rooms that are open for reservations. I usually book ahead of time. Sometimes, there are competition for spots. But this is especially a great option for those studying for major tests that will be administered digitally, like the LSAT Flex. Call in to reserve a spot for that specific date to be in the most optimal space to perform when ready.
7. Go for a walk
A crowded living situation makes it difficult to have quiet time to myself.
If I do, I feel tempted to spend it working. I found getting out of the house, and going for a walk, preferably into nature, was transformative. This time to myself — uninterrupted, not working — is necessary to stay balanced, and keep my mental health in check. The human mind needs time to unwind, and if I can’t get that at home, then a stroll is a pleasant way to get some.
These are unusual times. It can be frustrating trying to find peace in a hectic situation. But life goes on. All we can do is adapt and find ways to adapt and retake control of our own situations.
Grind on, family!
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