Skip to main content
Beedie School of Business
SFU Co-op Student

Man sitting at desk, with hands behind head
Credit
Jason Strull on Unsplash
Stay connected and try to build more personal connections, it can make adjusting to virtual work much easier.

Just last year, working from home was a privilege that only some companies could afford; however, in 2020 working from home has almost become a mandatory or ethical requirement for employers. So, what do you do when you are forced to work remotely in a role that is meant to be filled in an office environment? Here are a few tips and tricks that I have used to stay focused during my time working from home!

1. Structure Your Days

It becomes easy to sleep in or take a slightly longer break when your supervisor is not directly watching over you. Without a sense of structure, it is tempting to slack off or lose focus on your daily tasks. To help you avoid these bad habits, you should create a general weekly schedule and list out your daily goals onto a sheet of paper. You should also get into the habit of completing every single deliverable you have noted down for the day. This can help you build a strong sense of self-discipline and a goal to work towards every day. Additionally, you can also try to structure your time outside of work. For me personally, I developed a habit of working out every other day right after work and eat dinner around 7pm every day. This helped my mind and body develop into a good routine for both during work and after. 

2. Stay Connected

Stay connected with your co-workers and manager! Use your workplace’s communication apps to talk with the people you work with on a consistent basis. This is important because it can help you stay inside the loop of what projects your company is working on. This can also help you build on some good connections at your workplace. It does sound intimidating but the best way to build a good relationship is to occasionally talk about non-work-related things. I got to build a much more natural relationship with my manager once I learned that he enjoyed playing golf during the weekends and that he watched basketball during his free time. Talking about non-work-related items can take your relationship beyond simply being colleagues. It is like working on a group project with your friends, you are much more comfortable in sharing ideas and disagreeing with one another since you are more comfortable. Stay connected and try to build more personal connections, it can make adjusting to virtual work much easier.

3. Workspace
Matthew's workspace; two large monitors in front of a keyboard and mouse

Try to create a workspace that is professional. For me personally, I did not want to have any distractions at my workspace, so I cleared out all my personal items that tend to distract me. You should try your best to mimic the kind of environment you would have if you were still at the office. Try working in an area with bright natural lighting and filling your desk up with only work essentials. Working from home can be distracting so it is best to keep things tidy. Additionally, try to keep your phone away from this area if your work does not require it. Just like how you would not use your phone for Instagram or Facebook at the office, you should keep it hidden during your work hours at home too. By having a clean and organized work environment, it makes your work more enjoyable.

Just remember, stay positive and stay motivated. This mindset will make working from home equally as enjoyable as working in your office.

SFU Co-op Student
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Seeking, Work Term Extension

author, courtney, smiling
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

picture of glichelle pondering a though
Surviving Workplace Politics

Ever been peeved with workplace politics? Have you ever been a victim of office politics? One student shares her experiences from the workplace with tips on how to survive.

 

person with their head in a book
Responsibility and Success

One of the most memorable parts of my time in co-op was the collection of accidents, errors, mistakes, and mix-ups that happened in the course of working in the laboratory.

 

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

Person holding a pen to write on papers scattered on a desk
5 Reasons to Consider “The Little Guys” for Your Next Co-op Search

Have you ever considered working for a small firm?  Nick Pochailo, a fourth year business student spent eight months working in a small firm and realized he reaped many benefits from a small firm that he might not have at a large firm.  Read on to find out why you should consider a small firm for your co-op.

Arua standing in front of window, looking at camera
Conquering Unexpected Industries Through My Co-op Journey

Throughout this past year, I got to try out a variety of roles working in completely different industries. While all of my positions were marketing-related, each of them tackled a different aspect of digital marketing, challenging me to grow personally and professionally. In this article, I describe my entire Co-op journey and the things I learned along the way. 

Computer desk
Social Media 101: 4 Tips to Ace Social Media Management for an Institution

Curious how to run social media for a company out of your expertise? Take a look at Cristyn's article, where she reveals the best approaches to social media management and get ready to work in the field!