Since the introduction of measures by the Government, to combat the Coronavirus outbreak, many hotel staff across all departments are having to adjust to working from home for the first time.
Many people enjoy working from home and for many people in other industries remote working is business as usual for some, but others including hoteliers and their colleagues may find it leaves them feeling isolated or without the structure of a normal day.
We’ve pulled together some quick tips to make sure you’re working as efficiently as possible and keeping your spirits up.
Dress for work
When we used to think about working from home, there was the tantalising prospect of staying in your pyjamas all day. However, getting dressed and prepared as you would if you were going to work as normal won’t only help improve your state of mind, it will prepare you psychologically to start work.
Many people find dressing more formally helps them separate time ‘at work’ from downtime.
Planning and structure
Try and plan out your day as much as possible. With a lot of the structure that we are used to paused at the moment, planning your time can help you tackle the day more effectively.
Start working at your normal time, this will help put you in the right frame of mind for the working day. Equally important as starting your day as you would in normal circumstances, make sure you log off and step away from your work for lunch, or a break, just as you would in the office.
Don’t let the day drag on either, make sure you shut down your computer and log off at your normal finishing time.
Make time for a conversation
If you’re working from home, you could spend the whole day without speaking to anyone – which can be isolating. When we’re at work you’re likely to spend more time than you realise engaging with your colleagues, socially.
Make time to pick up the phone, or launch a video chat, with your colleagues rather than relying on email or messaging apps.
Why not also try scheduling in some break times with your colleagues to catch up over a coffee on Zoom or Skype?
Just because we’re working remotely, doesn’t mean we have to lose the social connection with our colleagues.
Separate and balance ‘work’ and home
Setting up a dedicated workspace, used solely for work, can help create a boundary between your home and your work. Make sure the rest of your household knows that when you are in your workspace, you are at work, you’re not at home.
Some people find background music helps them to focus on their work, however we’d suggest keeping your workspace and daytime TV as far apart as possible…
When you leave your workspace, make sure you take time to relax. Read a book, lose yourself in a box set on Netflix, listen to podcasts or spend time with your family.
Finding and maintaining separation between your work and your home life can be a balancing act under normal circumstances, but it has never been more important that we each find the balance that is right for us.
