How to effectively work from home if you never have before

I work from home full time and I’m pretty much used to it now but when I first started it was a tricky balance to get right.

If you’re working from home now, you might even have the kids to contend with too.

If you’ve got the kids, just accept that you can’t do it all.

You are not Hermione Granger and you do not have a Time-Turner.

Here are my five working from home tips.

Step one: Dress for comfort.

Yes, get showered and dressed as you usually would but there is no need to be in heels and suit jacket.

Wear your slippers to keep your feet cosy and ditch the bra, tie and collar if you feel like it.

Step two: Do not eat at your desk.

Whatever your “desk” is, make sure you get up, wash your hands and eat away from your keyboard and working space.

This is a germ thing as well as a compartmentalisation thing.

Step three: Get in some exercise as you usually would.

If you usually walk 100 m to use the bathroom, try to do the same at home.

Usually go out for a walk around the block at lunch?

Providing you can still socially distance, get on and do that too.

Step four: Share your calendar or tell people where you are.

If you’re starting work at 6am and having a two-hour lunch, make sure your calendar says this or your colleagues know beforehand.

There is nothing worse than coming back from a relaxing walk to “Where the hell are you?” emails.

Step five: If you’re having a call or video chat, make it clear right at the start what your situation is.

If you have dogs and kids at home, say so.

If it’s a group conference-call make sure you know where the mute button is and use it.

If you’ve got kids, you’re going to be short on time and feel pulled in two or more directions.Buy yourself extra time by not doing your hair and make-up and have a packed lunch ready in the fridge.