October 21, 2011
For those of you in the Seattle area, starting next week, you have two options:
- Head to work with your tumbler, ready to start the week, and then remember the Viaduct is closed. Curse for a few seconds, try to find an alternate route (along with everybody else), and proceed to sit in gridlock for three hours. Yes, your coffee will go cold before you get to work.
- Or outsmart them all and work from home, saving you time while staying productive!
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct closed until 5 am on October 31, your best bet is to just stay home. But before you start picturing yourself lounging in your pajamas all day, there are some important things to remember. Even the most serious professionals are easily tempted to slack off when working from home.
Here are some tips to stay productive while working from home:
- Create a defined work space. Clear your dining table of old newspapers, set up camp at your guest room’s desk, or sit in your favorite chair. Whichever space you choose, ensure that it is cleared of distractions.
- Set up all the equipment you need to be successful. Think of your typical work space and set up your impromptu office with the same items, including your phone, laptop, and paper files.
- Establish clear boundaries around your time to ensure you don’t work too much.
- Limit distractions of home projects or clutter in your work area. Just because you have laundry piling up does not mean you should tackle it while at home working. Let home projects wait until you are finished for the day.
- Stay focused on one task at a time. If you try to make a pot of coffee while replying to emails, you will be less efficient, focused, and productive.
- Use web-based tools to keep you connected to your team, even while you are remote (some examples include GoToWebinar, DimDim, InstantConference, MSN Messenger).
- Turn off the television– just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you should waste time watching soaps! You can catch up on Grey’s later.
- Enjoy the extra time you have in the morning and afternoon– while everyone else is spending time commuting, you could head to the gym early or run errands and avoid the peak times!
If, however, you are unable to work from home during the road closure, and you find yourself in traffic, here are a few things you can do:
- Create a phone list and pre-schedule phone calls to happen while you drive (using a Bluetooth, of course!).
- Download a podcast or webinar recording and listen as you drive.
Need help making your home office efficient? We’re happy to help out! Just check out our Productivity Packages and learn how we can get you streamlined quickly. And, while the Viaduct is closed this month, we’d like to extend a special discount to you. Just enter the code VIADUCT when you checkout with the Productivity Starter Package and you’ll receive $100 off!
Happy Viaduct Closure Week!
