The coronavirus has us pinned down in our homes for an indefinite amount of time. And if you’re one of the lucky few who’s able to work from home and continue earning despite enhanced community quarantine, good for you! Now let’s make the most out of it.

Working from the comfort of your own home can either make or break you. Having to skip the torture of commuting for hours to your office, being able to spend more time on your hobbies or with your family and longer sleeping hours are just a few perks. And while a lot of people dream to be in the same position as you, they probably don’t know that it’s not as easy as it seems.

Getting comfortable in your own space can make it hard for you to get any work done. Without anyone watching you, it’s so easy to shift your attention to a bunch of distractions all around you; be it a pile of dishes in the sink just waiting to be cleaned up or plants in your garden that need watering. 

Here are a few tips on how to maintain your sanity while keeping a productive work environment at home.

Stick to a schedule.

You have to treat your work days the same way you did when you weren’t working remotely. The big difference here is you’re going to have to be stricter with your schedule because you might either end up working all day or end up not putting in enough hours. Since you’re working from home, you’re going to have to consider all your other commitments related to your house or the people you’re living with. Make sure to put your priorities in place and set boundaries so you don’t end up alloting all your time to work.

Create a work conducive environment.

Just because you’re comfortable in your own home doesn’t mean you can just work anywhere in it. Put some time into finding your own spot – away from your bed and away from other possible distractions. Having a dedicated workspace can greatly increase your productivity by putting you in the mood and mindset to work. Make sure it’s a place where you aren’t easily disturbed.

Communicate

Watercooler conversations are just as important now than it was then. Being in isolation can take a toll on your social skills, which in turn can severely affect how you communicate with your peers. Now’s the best time to become tech-savvy and learn new tools that might prove essential for getting your team together. Apps like Slack or Zoom can be used to set up meetings to make sure everybody’s on the same page and as a means to share friendly banter with your coworkers. Keeping in touch with your workmates can ease up your feelings of boredom and loneliness.

Remember to clock out.

I’ve already stressed the importance of sticking to your schedule, but it’s always imperative that you remind yourself to get off of work and call it a day. Balance is key when you’re working from home and having a steady routine and fixed working hours will help you stick to your goals while also allowing you to enjoy your free time.