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The Abbey Information Exchange: Top Tips for working from home.

Monday, 11 January 2021

Top Tips for working from home during COVID-19


In these unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we are having to adapt how we work. With most of the UK now working from home (WFH) full time, our normal day-to-day routine has been thrown out of the window. Although, working from home is becoming more common, especially for businesses in the service industry, I suspect for some individuals - like myself, do not work from home. However, like with anything in life, you adapt.

Every day, I have been receiving useful tips and advice on how to work from home, how to keep positive and how to keep motivated. Although you can search for these top tips on google, let me warn you, you will be faced with 9,480,000,000 search results. So, for this reason, I share the tips I find to have been most useful so far plus Master Saddler, Helen Reader from HR Saddlery’s own advice on our Exchange.

Separate work and living spaces if possible. If you have a workshop or shed attached to your property, then you’re already winning.

Stick to a routine. THIS IS ESSENTIAL. During the week, still get up at your normal time to start your day. Although you may have some extra time in bed without a commute, aim to wake up around the same time every day. This helps stabilise your internal clock and improve your sleep overall. You’ll feel less tired, more refreshed, and find it easier to concentrate throughout the day.

Set a list of actions to do that day and stick to them.

Stretch, refresh, walk around and then get back into it. Get the blood pumping around the body, move your legs, stretch it out to avoid strains, cramps and pains. For those who have not yet tried it, I recommend Joe Wicks
PE session Monday – Friday 9am – 9.30am which you can participate for free via his YouTube channel.

Communicate regularly. Just because you are not in the office, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t continue to communicate with your employer and your team regularly. However, if you’re a sole trader, contact your customers to keep communication lines open. Let them know you are still there for them.

Set boundaries with those who you live with. It’s ok to tell them you’re unavailable because of work commitments. If you have other obligations between you such as children or pets then agree beforehand who’s watching who, and when.

Finally – drink plenty of water.

Helen Reader also appears to be an advocate for routine. Since the Government’s announcement on March 23rd, HR saddlery has been in lockdown. Said Helen, “I’m now working exclusively from my workshop based on my family smallholding. I’m keeping things as routine as possible, up and out at 6am to sort out my horses and at my workbench for 8am.”

“The Society of Master Saddlers have just released the schedule for the National Saddlery Competition for 2021. My tip is that all SMS members use this time to plan and make their entries and the competition will be something for everyone to look forward to. Thanks, must go to Abbey England who are working hard to fulfil orders and therefore allowing us to continue bench work. Hopefully once we are back out working we won’t have time for competition work!”

 
I hope the tips above help any WFH novices out there. In the meantime, keep well, keep safe, keep healthy and keep MOTIVATED.

Working from home

Helen Reader HR Saddlery