Huddle @ Home: Why Cherise Letson Takes Breaks To Play With Her Cat
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 associate editor and Saint John reporter Cherise Letson:
1) Describe your home workplace:
I work at a desk by a window in my dining room. Loyal Huddle readers may recognize this desk from a previous series we used to do called “What’s On My Desk.” I actually bought it from Nicola MacLeod when she was getting ready to move!
2) Why do you have it set up this way?
I like being by a window because of the natural light. I also enjoy people watching, but given the current situation, I’m not doing much of that these days.
Before this all happened, I worked mostly from Huddle’s office, so I was cool with just having my laptop and mouse on the few days of the week I worked from home. But since I’m now sitting and working here full-time, I brought in my monitor and wireless keyboard from the office to help with my back and posture.
3) What’s the most important thing to have at your home work station (besides the obvious computer and phone)?
Probably my pen and notebook. Oh! I also have a laser pointer for when my cat, Dylan, decides to come out and wants to have a quick play session.
4) What are some things you do to stay on task when working at home?
I always have a “to-do” list for every day, even if it doesn’t all get done, just seeing everything written out helps me stay on task. I did this even when I wasn’t working from home.
I also try to make sure to get out for a walk once during the workday. I realized about a week into all this that walking to and from the office was a huge part of my routine. It’s not the same now, but it helps clear my head and break up the day. I also take little breaks throughout the day to pet and snuggle my cat, which definitely helps with productivity and overall well-being.
5) What do you do when you feel lonely or isolated?
I usually text or call a friend at lunch or on a break. Going for that daily walk also helps with that too.
6) What’s the one thing you can’t have around you when you’re working?
I can’t listen to music or TV when I’m editing or writing. I envy people who can, but I can’t do it. I need to give those tasks my full attention and have no distractions.
7) One piece of advice for people working from home for the first time?
Don’t work out of your pajamas. I know, it’s so tempting. But the novelty wears off quickly and you’ll start feeling like a sloth and it will impact your ability to get work done big time. Even if it’s just changing into leggings and a sweatshirt, it can make a huge difference in your energy level and how you feel.
8) Favourite song on your “Work From Home” playlist?
The Pretenders – Back on the Chain Gang
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: