Huddle@Home: Why Trevor Nichols’ Cat Is His Biggest Moral Support
HALIFAX— With the entire country working together to contain the spread of coronavirus, many businesses are having employees work from home, many for the first time.
Working from home sounds great in theory, in a lot of ways it is. But to do it effectively takes a lot of self-discipline, otherwise, you’re on a slippery slope. One minute you’re sitting down on the couch at lunch to watch an episode of that new Netflix show, the next you are a half a season in and you’ve got nothing done.
If you’re new to this work from home thing, fear not. There are lots of people who have been doing it for a while who have it nailed down to a science, including the Huddle team! Half of our editorial staff works remotely, while the others split time between the office and home.
In this series, our team will share their at-home workspace, and tips that keep them productive. Today we visit Huddle’s Halifax writer, Trevor Nichols:
1) Describe your home workplace (where in your home is it? etc.)
A big oak desk in on the quiet side of our apartment. Computer, printer, notepads, pens: all the desky-type things you usually find on a desk. And an old wingback chair from my parents’ garage to sit in because it’s a flash of whimsy I’d never get in a proper office.
2) Why do you have it set up this way?
I’ve tried to make my workspace as distraction-free as possible.
3) What’s the most important thing to have at your home work station (besides the obvious computer and phone)?
Moral support from my cat. She’s the one distraction I allow because she’s a very good kitty and I need someone to yell to when sources don’t call me back.
4) What are some things that you do to help you stay on task when working at home?
I try to treat it as much like going into the office as possible. I set my alarm to wake up at the same time every morning, then glance longingly at my bathrobe before putting on actual work clothes. I take a lunch break every day and make sure I leave my apartment during it. I work from my desk instead of curled up on the couch. Obviously, I have to tell my cat how pretty she is whenever she wanders over but I try to keep those conversations to a minimum.
5) What do you do when you feel lonely or isolated?
Luckily, our team at Huddle stays in fairly close contact throughout the day so feeling isolated isn’t much of an issue. It probably also helps that it’s my job to talk to people all day.
6) What’s the one thing you can’t have around you when you’re working?
One of the things about having an awesome wife is I want to hang out with her whenever she’s around. So if she’s nearby I’m probably not getting much done.
7) One piece of advice for people working from home for the first time?
Pants. Put them on.
8) Favourite song on your “Work From Home” playlist?
The entire self-titled album from “A Winged Victory for the Sullen” is the perfect soundtrack to write to.
Huddle @ Home will be a regular series during throughout the coronavirus crisis. Do you want to talk to us about your home office? Do you have a friend or a colleague we should profile? E-mail Cherise Letson: [email protected].
Other stories in the series:
- Inda Intiar Finds A New Use For Her Ironing Board
- Why Cherise Letson Takes Breaks To Play With Her Cat
- Elizabeth MacLeod Figures Out The Puzzle Of Working From Home