I was FORCED to work from home.

Like so many of us around the world, I was told that only essential workers should be going to work.  Well, my job is considered essential because I work at our local community college.  I coordinate workforce and professional development courses and programs for our unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. But, to reduce the number of bodies on campus, I have to work partially from home. I should be excited, right? Right!!!! Well, I was. "Was" is the keyword.  I was excited to be able to be home to help the kids get through the learning from home method of schooling that was dumped on everyone. I was excited to be able to get a project done around the house during my work breaks. I was excited to be able to walk the dogs during work breaks.  I was excited.

On my first work from home day, I tried to jump right in and complete my business as usual.  Boy was I frustrated and disappointed.  Not only did I not have the proper space to work, I also had to share a desk and the WiFi with 3 others fighting for the same signal I was vying for!  I had hungry kids, dogs needing to pee, dishes piling up, laundry getting stinky in the washer from sitting too long (because I forgot about the wash with all of the other distractions! I was beginning to feel like I was way in over my head.  I was so ready to be able to work from my office at the college during week one.

I had to change the expectations of my work from home life, quickly! To make work from home life better as quick as possible, I realized that the internet modem and WiFi router we had installed was eight years old. That needed to be changed immediately. Seriously, even after calling to update internet services, that fix took about two weeks. (Island life has its downfalls) And, now that the internet issue improved tremendously, there are other things that I realize that I needed to do to work from home more efficiently.

What have I learned?

• There will always be distractions.
• Set up a home office space.  It does not have to be a room, a corner of the house is acceptable.
• Set expectations of myself and my household. (do not disturb mom while in virtual meetings)
• Set a daily and weekly schedule.
• Headphones for meetings are essential to drown out distractions.
• Wake up and begin work as regularly scheduled.
• Change out of PJs and get into work clothes.
• Take breaks to walk around and get away from the computer.
• Stay connected with work and social supports.
• Allow some flexibility.
• Yes...all that.  Oh, and stop eating the bag potato chips!

How is it going?  I am learning patience and flexibility.  Life will not come to a screeching halt if I get off track.  And, life certainly is not perfect.  What is perfect anyways?  We are all learning this new way of living and working.  There will be bumps along the way.  Embrace those bumps and use the bumps to see life from a different perspective.