Jeremy Goldstein is a lauded lawyer hailing from New York City, and has advised CEOs, compensation committees, managers, and business committees on various matters affecting their businesses. Here he provides some tips on how to stay productive and sane while stuck at home during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
Getting distracted while working from home can often happen, but there are many ways to curb that. First of all, check your connectivity and Wi-Fi status. Are you good to go? Are there other people in your house or apartment sucking up the bandwidth? Hopefully none of your neighbors are causing problems or distractions. Also think about the amount of clutter that is in your room, house, or apartment. It has proven beneficial to have a clean work and living space. If your space is cluttered by random things laying around or is not organized, then it is all too easy for your mind to become cluttered and/or distracted. You may even be tempted to start cleaning up instead of doing work if there are things around your house that need cleaning or putting away. Are your dishes cleaned and put away before your start working? Imagine that you take your lunch break and then you see many dirty dishes laying around. You may be tempted to start washing them instead of getting back to work. Even if you have clean dishes that are sitting out, you may find yourself tempted to put them away because it seems like a quick task, which can then lead to starting a different task of upkeeping instead of focusing on your more demanding work tasks.
It is important to have a routine set every day, including getting up at the same time as well as going to bed at the same time. Getting a good night’s rest is always important, but it is equally important when working from home because it can be easy to slip out of your routine when you do not have to go into an office. Do you still get ready and get dressed every day? It will make a significant change to your mindset if you make the effort to get ready in the morning before work, whether you shower or not. Morning rituals can help you wake up and get on track, and likewise putting on clothes that fit the attitude of being productive versus being comfy can make all the difference. This doesn’t mean you have to put on a suit and tie or a dress just to work from your house, but it is highly recommended you change out of your pajamas or sweatpants into some attire that will help boost your mood and boost your productivity. Also, try drinking water in the morning instead of coffee right away so that you are hydrated and refreshed. Drinking coffee right out of the gate can make you dehydrated and can cause a slump in your productivity if you are not careful.
It is paramount that you avoid working in your bed when you work from home. Studies have shown that working in bed can lead to laziness as well as make you feel tired. Being on or in your bed can also diminish your ability to sleep at night. If you are able to avoid sitting on your bed throughout the day, then your mind will subconsciously associate your bed with sleep at night and sleep at night only, ensuring that your bed is a sacred place. It has actually been suggested to avoid working in your bedroom at all, however depending upon the space and amount of rooms in your residence, that may present a challenge. Just note that the difference in physical spaces you work in also have an effect on your mental headspace as well, depending upon which activities you are performing in those spaces.
Try your best not to get distracted when working from home by imagining you are working in an office. Don’t get sucked into doing household chores or watching TV while trying to work – before you know it, you will have lost an hour or more. It will also be beneficial to set boundaries with the other people you live with, whether it be family, friends, or roommates. If someone happens to see you working on the computer, it may not register in their mind that you are working. Be patient and respectful with others, and kindly tell them that between certain hours you must focus and cannot be bothered unless there is a viable reason for you to be pulled out of work mode. Think about putting a sign on your door if you have to. The key is to avoid interactions and distractions in order for you to stay focused and in the zone.
It is okay to occasionally take breaks, which may be needed for your mental health. It is suggested that you take a 15-minute break every 75 to 90 minutes in order to clear your mind. The best practice for taking breaks is to avoid looking at any screens and also to get some fresh air. You could go for a walk, take your dog for a walk, or even just step outside into the sunlight or into your backyard to check out your garden. Additionally, it is best to avoid total and complete isolation, which can be a downside to working from home, especially in the time of quarantines and lockdowns. One of the main benefits of working in an office is being around other people, specifically when you need to talk to someone in order to make the base level of social interaction. If you feel lonely at home, you can always reach out to a friend or family member through text, a call, a FaceTime, or any other form of communication. Even looking at old photos of family or friends (not on screens) can help you out and make you feel connected to others.
Whether you are confident or not confident about working from home, there are many proactive ways to manage yourself, manage your mental health, and stay on track for productivity while also being able to feel a sense of freedom.
About Jeremy Goldstein
Jeremy Goldstein is a prominent lawyer in New York, as well as a partner to Jeremy L. Goldstein and Associates Corporation. He is a qualified attorney with extensive experience after graduating from the New York University School of Law. Jeremy Goldstein remains passionate about seeking justice and fighting for the needs of his clients. His devotion has earned Mr. Goldstein a legacy in the law sector. He is a committed partner at Jeremy L. Goldstein and Associates law firm.
Jeremy Goldstein has made his mission advising different CEOs, compensation committees, managers, and business committees on various matters affecting their businesses. With the help of other associates, Mr. Goldstein helps his clients understand corporate governance and compensation matters. Jeremy Goldstein’s skills come in handy when solving business matters in a court of law and also helps clients avoid spending too much money on cases. Mr. Goldstein serves as a chairman of the American Bar Association. This organization deals with mergers as well as business acquisition matters. Over the years, Jeremy Goldstein has represented clients in different corporate deals and has won many cases. His victories are based on past experiences and devotion to creating a better world. Clients with compensation issues across the United States rely on Mr. Goldstein for advice and representation.
