Before COVID-19 became the focal point of the news cycle and completely took over our lives, it was already a challenge for workers to stay focused while working from home. With the state of the world taking a drastic turn every day, working remotely has become even more difficult. If you’re having trouble staying on track, we’re here to help! Here are five tips and tricks you can use to help you work remotely in uncertain times.

1. Take Some Me-Time

Between widespread lockdowns, social distancing measures, and the fear of the unknown, it’s reasonable to not feel as motivated or happy as you usually do. In order to not let what’s going on in the world get you down, it’s imperative that you take some me-time. Whether that means 15 minutes of meditation or doing at-home workouts, taking care of yourself will ultimately boost your productivity and be reflected in your work.

2. Acknowledge the Uncertainty

As much as we’d like to control every aspect of our lives, the fact of the matter is that a lot of things are out of our control, and that’s ok. Acknowledging the uncertainty going on around you is the only way to come to terms with it and move forward in a manner that’s not detrimental to your health, wellbeing, and/or ability to work.

3. Tune Out the News

While it’s important to stay informed on current events, constantly checking your phone or having the news playing in the background can be a huge distraction. Being consumed by the news cycle can also take a real toll on your mental health. Try to limit your news consumption to less than an hour a day and do your best to reserve that time for outside of working hours.

4. Stick to Your Daily Routine

Humans are creatures of habit, and it’s in your best interest to stick to your daily routine as much as possible. Start and end your day at around the same time, keep your working hours consistent, and make an effort to get dressed even though you won’t be going anywhere. These little habits will give you a much-needed sense of normalcy during uncertain times.

5. Get the Setup You Need

None of us know how long social distancing will go on for, so it’s important that you set yourself up for success at home. This means arming yourself with the tools you need, whether that be a dual monitor or an adjustable desk. Try to have your at-home office mimic your real workspace as much as possible to optimize productivity.

There are a lot of unknowns in the world at the moment, but we hope these five tips will help you navigate working from home during these difficult times. Staying connected to fellow remote workers and entrepreneurs is also very important during this period of social distancing, and we’re committed to making that happen at Project Spaces. Be sure to join our Project Spaces Members group on Facebook if you haven’t already and let us know what you’re doing to keep the wheels of your business turning!

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