Elizabeth MacLeod Figures Out The Puzzle Of Working From Home
SAINT JOHN – 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 work space, and their tips that keep them productive. Today we visit Huddle’s Saint John writer Elizabeth MacLeod:
1) Describe your home workplace:
My “command central” is set up in my living room/kitchen located against the wall closest to the kitchen counter and next to the television. My laptop is on a riser with my mouse (DIY ergonomics!) and my Apple magic keyboard rests on the table.
When I feel extra lazy but still want to be productive, I climb in my Ikea lounge chair and work from there.
2) Why do you have it set up this way?
My “command central” is located in this area because it provides the most space that the combined living room/kitchen offers so it doesn’t feel too crowded. I like to have clear unencumbered open space when working on a story.
3) What’s the most important thing to have at your home work station (besides the obvious computer and phone)?
A jumbo jar of Nutella or my Harley Quinn mallet container of candy or treats for motivation!
4) What are some things you do to stay on task when working at home?
I am a Type A perfectionist who lives for lists and schedules, sometimes a little too much. Lists help me figure out what needs to be done and prioritize various assignments. The trick is to cross items off my list when completed, which provides me with a sense of accomplishment. I recently completed a 1000-piece puzzle my father gave me last fall!
However, one cannot put too much pressure on oneself or else you might end up beating yourself up if you do not complete what it is you set out to do – remember – life happens, you didn’t fail! Another thing I have been doing lately is setting a work goal for myself each day, while at home, that needs attention, but not at a specific time. You get your work done while taking pressure off yourself.
Taking a break helps too. I love fresh air – I like to go outside on warm days with my lunch and either read, listen to the news, music or catch a podcast. A five or 10-minute break can recharge your mind.
5) What do you do when you feel lonely or isolated?
I like to reach out to my friends and family by phone or text/email/messenger/Facetime etc. If I cannot get a hold of anyone, I reach for a book, listen to music or put on a film or television show.
6) What’s the one thing you can’t have around you when you’re working?
TELEVISION! I require silence while I am intently focusing on a task. When I am planning and/or researching a task that doesn’t require laser focus, I will listen to music or watch the news on the television as my own version of office chatter.
7) One piece of advice for people working from home for the first time?
Once you have figured out what needs to be accomplished first as the top priority item, SET A SCHEDULE and tailor it to how you work and whatever else is going in your life (picking up kids from soccer practice, getting groceries, doctor appointments etc.)
8) Favourite song on your “Work From Home” playlist?
Aaack, it so hard to choose just one! My favorite jams at the moment are Betsy’s Lost & Found, Taylor Swift’s I Forgot That You Existed and 2NE1’s I Am The Best.
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