Working From Home the Smarter Good Way

By Chelsea Inton
Updated May 19, 2020

With the World Health Organization remaining firm on the need to practice physical distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19, many companies have embraced remote work to keep businesses running while prioritizing the health and safety of their employees.

Smarter Good knows that balancing home and work lives within the same space can be a challenge so we asked our teammates for some tips to help you stay focused and productive as WFH continues.

1. Designate a “work” space in your home

Find a dedicated physical space for work. This will help you mentally distinguish your work space from your living space. Try to find a space that is distinct from the space where you relax. Even if you have limited space, what’s important is to carve out a designated spot to work.

As Development Associate Bea Subido put it:

Since the start of WFH, I’ve been working in a corner of my room and established it as my work space. I needed to set up a work space to maximize my productivity and do requirements without distractions. It is also important to have a separate area (or an imaginary wall, if space is limited) between the area where I work and the area where I can rest and chill to ensure proper work-life balance.

Another Development Associate, Aidee Tan, makes sure both her physical and digital space are clutter-free.

Declutter your digital work space, just as you would your physical one. Delineate work and play by setting aside personal tabs to avoid distractions during work hours and limiting open tabs to those necessary for the task at hand.

Clutter in any form can keep you from being as productive. Keep your area organized and clean to help reduce distraction in your space. Aidee shared this practical advice: “Given the virus and the summer heat, wipe gadgets and tables clean to keep from feeling grimy. Wash mugs and cups to prevent them from stacking up each day.”

2. Structure your day

When working from home, you have complete control over your schedule. But it’s easy to lose sight of your work priorities so make sure you have a good structure in place. Some choose to do their work in the morning or afternoon. Figure out what works best for you and do it consistently.

Jam Mutuc, our People Partnership Director, structures her day like this:

I start at 5 or 6 a.m. since I am a morning person. I get a lot done in the morning when the rest of the team is still quiet/sleeping. By 10 a.m., I take a two-hour break to help my daughter with her online classes, cook lunch, and eat with my family. I go back to work after lunch and take another break at 3 p.m. to snack on something healthy. And my day is complete.

Aside from having a structured working routine, it’s also important to let your family know about your work commitments. For Development Manager Kayla Quizon, communication is the key:

I find it helpful to clearly communicate my schedule with people at home so they know when I’m not available for household or family chores. Knowing my daily schedule makes it easier for my family to plan workarounds, be it as simple as setting meal times earlier or later to accommodate a call.

Knowing your schedule also helps family members know when to keep pets in a different room so they don’t interrupt your meetings.

It also helps to keep a simple to-do list. Write down your tasks and sort out what you will do and when, over the course of the day. It’s also a good practice to keep a log of your day so you can track how you’re spending your time. You can use online time tracking apps like Tomato Timer or Pomodoro Timer. Include a start and end time for work as this can help you separate your working time from your personal time.

Work time, however, does not mean powering through our to-do list. Don’t forget to give yourself enough time to relax and unwind before jumping on another big task. Senior Writer-Researcher Adrienne Razon stressed the importance of taking breaks:

Taking breaks—which can include taking power naps, playing my favorite game, giving my dog rubs, or even doing nothing—is an important part of my work routine.” For Adrienne, breaks are more than just a respite. “They give my mind a breather and even help me create new ideas.

3. Stay connected

One of the most important adjustments we made at Smarter Good is to think of creative ways to keep our communication lines open. Our People Partnership Team came up with new activities to keep the team engaged and connected even when everyone is working from home. One of favorites is Coffee Conversations, or CofiCon as we call it, where we do short fun activities on Monday mornings to start the week on a good note.

Cloud-based productivity and collaboration apps are of course important in staying connected. You can use Skype, Google Hangouts, or Zoom to arrange weekly or short daily teleconferences with your team. Seeing familiar faces will help lessen the distance we feel. Development Associate Liza Valencia shares:

Instead of relying solely on email, have virtual meetings to touch base with teammates and discuss urgent matters. For discussions that do require email, be diligent about checking messages regularly—set reminders for yourself to check every 15 minutes in case of urgent inquiries, especially for time-sensitive tasks.

Chief Operating Officer Kanchana Akhouri also shared a few tips on communication to help make this transition:

Choose the mode of communication wisely. Conference calls and meetings work well when the agenda is very clear and there is value for all attendees ensuring you capture their complete attention and participation. When there are difficult conversations to be had, it is advisable to be on video mode.
Listen not just for spoken words but the tone, energy and phrasing. There is no opportunity to observe body language and signs that would indicate support, confusion, discomfort or agreement/disagreement to a point. This is a great skill to practice and develop while we continue to work remotely.
Invite people to share feedback. In a free-flowing discussion where an idea is being deliberated for a decision outcome, set some clear rules at the start of the session, allocate talk time and incorporate ways of receiving and listening to feedback. Ask and check for understanding of the messaging.

Staying connected with teammates should not be limited to just work. Kanchana also encourages social time for personal conversations.

The remote work mode does not have to impact the emotional connection, just the physical aspects of being together are compromised,” Kanchana said. “Make time for informal discussions and have your catch ups and corridor and coffee conversations. Show care and concern in words and action.

Maintaining regular and consistent communications can help keep a sense of normalcy, maintain positive relationships, and boost team morale. Make sure you and your team stay connected!

4. Take care of yourself physically

Aside from making sure work gets done, it’s also important to take care of your well-being during this time. Eating healthy meals, staying hydrated, taking vitamins, and getting a good night’s sleep are just a few health tips we’ve found ourselves becoming more conscious of over the past few weeks.

For Writer/Researcher, Najee Chua, squeezing in exercise is a must.

With WFH, the boundaries I have for work and home are blurred. It’s so easy to work longer hours now and stay glued to my seat, but I have to get up and move. Stretch.

Najee also suggested trying a home workout plan. You can check out free home workouts online or join workout livestreams like Planet Fitness and 305 Fitness. “Get an accountability partner if you need to, but bottom line is: get moving. You’ll feel energized and your body will thank you.”

5. Look after your mental health

COVID-19 also brings additional stress and anxiety that can affect our mental health. Make a deliberate effort to protect your peace and focus on what you can control. It helps to meditate, practice deep breathing exercises, and write down your feelings. It also helps to talk about your concerns with your family, friends, and support systems. They are likely feeling the same way. We may all be physically distant from one another, but know that you’re not alone.

Associate Development Manager Rahn Dela Cruz said it best:

Just take it easy. It’s a weird and difficult time but it doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone. Your friends, family, and workmates are with you – don’t be afraid to ask for support or a meme (or two) to help you get through each day, each week, and before you know it the lockdown is over.

Working from home can be a big transition and it can take a while to fully settle into this new arrangement. We hope that these tips help you adopt a productive and meaningful WFH experience.

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Working From Home the Smarter Good Way

1. Designate a “work” space in your home

2. Structure your day

3. Stay connected

4. Take care of yourself physically

5. Look after your mental health

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