Our tips for working from home

The myBagFactory team was no different. Working from home was a bit unusual for us at first, as we're usually together in the office, see each other in person, and consult together. Are you, like us, creatures of habit and haven't quite gotten used to the new home office routine yet?

In this blog, we have summarized a few tips from our team that have helped us over the past two weeks to adapt to the new situation and to work just as effectively from home as we do with colleagues in the office.

Set up your personal workspace

In the office, we usually have our own desk or even a dedicated room. This is where we work, where our computer is, and where all our documents and personal belongings are located. You should also set up a workspace like this at home. It doesn't necessarily have to be a dedicated study or a separate desk if you don't have one in your apartment. You can also create a workspace at your dining room or living room table. To be as focused and productive as possible, it's important not to work in bed or on the couch, as we're used to relaxing in these places. Instead, set up a workspace at a free table. Feel free to decorate it a bit, too. However, too much decoration can be distracting and make it difficult to concentrate. So, limit yourself to a bouquet of tulips or a picture of your loved ones! Don't completely forgo comfort either. Make sure your office chair is comfortable so you don't have back pain after working in the evening.

A fixed workstation also helps you to draw a line between work and leisure time and avoid having your laptop on the couch in the evening while watching TV.

And don't forget: You should always have a bottle of water at your desk so you don't forget to drink enough throughout the day. This will save you a headache after a well-earned break.

Maintain your habits and routine

Not only a suitable workspace, but also a daily routine and maintaining habits are essential for successful working from home. Therefore, try to maintain your usual daily routine as best as possible. This doesn't mean you have to get up as early as you would if you were going to work. However, you should get out of bed at the same time every day and get ready as usual. Before you start work, you should wash up, have a good breakfast, and, above all, put on something comfortable that you would normally wear to the office. Because pajamas or sweatpants are inappropriate both in the office and when working from home!

You should also write a daily to-do list of your daily tasks. Creating daily to-do lists and weekly goals will help you focus on the essentials and structure your workday. It's best to write down your tasks in a small leather-covered notebook before you start each day.

Sticking to your break times is also very important for working effectively at home. It's best to base this on your normal working and break times at the office. Take a relaxing lunch break, just like you would if you were in the office, to gather new energy for the rest of the working day. Close your laptop, make yourself something to eat and, if possible, slip on your leather sneakers and go outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. This helps you recharge your batteries, clear your head and then be able to continue working with concentration. Not only the long lunch break, but also shorter interruptions to work are allowed and important. Stick to your habits here too. So, for example, if you regularly take a coffee break with your colleagues at 4 p.m. in the office, you should integrate this into your home office routine. You will be able to work with much more concentration afterwards.

Unfortunately, you have to take your breaks alone. Social contact with colleagues is somewhat neglected when working from home. To avoid significant restrictions, you should establish regular (Skype) calls within your team to exchange ideas and discuss important topics. While this can't replace a shared coffee break or a team meeting in the office, it's still a good complement to email contact.

Finish work!

The most important thing comes last! At the end of every workday, you should have a relaxing evening. Even if you work from home, that doesn't mean you have to work outside of your normal working hours. Since the line between work and leisure often blurs when working from home, it's important to set a fixed time for yourself when you finish work. Consciously turn off your laptop. If you don't have a separate study and are therefore working in the living room or kitchen, put away your work equipment. When working from home, you should definitely not feel obligated to answer emails on weekends or work late into the night.

Stick to your working hours and enjoy your evenings and weekends. This way, you can work concentrated and productively at your home office during regular hours.

We wish you a successful and stress-free time working from home.

Your myBagFactory Team