Thanks to the impact of COVID-19, states and local governments issued widespread shutdown orders in 2020. By early April, 31% of the workforce was working from home according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At Border Bank, our ongoing investments of latest technologies successfully enabled nearly half of our workforce to work from home and maintain quality (and safe) service for all of our customers.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you are working at home permanently or temporarily due to COVID-19. There are many pros and cons to setting up shop where you work and live. To make it work, you have to create an environment that works best for you.

Setting Up Your Home Office

Get an early start to the day so that you are fully awake and ready for work before you get to your desk— or coffee table or kitchen counter. You may have a harder time transitioning from your bed to your workplace then you think. Keep up a steadfast routine that helps you separate work from home life to stay productive without infringing on your personal time.

Here are some ideas to help you set yourself up for success:

• Prepare for the day the same way you would if you were commuting to the office. Set your alarm, make coffee, and put on ‘work’ clothes. PJs have an uncanny way of signaling the brain that it’s time for a snooze!
• Set up blocks of time including appointments with co-workers, when you will work on projects, and when you can take a lunch break.
• Don't over-schedule yourself. If you have a personal appointment or errands to run, keep them within a reasonable lunchtime. Otherwise, you may find yourself cutting into your evening on a regular basis.
• Choose where you will work. For some people, an informal migration from a desk to the kitchen table to the patio can help them stay energized. Others need structure. If you need to, set up office space or dedicated surfaces where you work from home. You may want to separate them from areas of the home dedicated to leisure.

Ways to Improve Your Productivity

Working from home does not necessarily mean you will manage your work life balance better. It's easy to lose track of time at home whether you're working, spending time on personal projects, or relaxing.

Here are some tips to help you set up productive habits at home:

• According to the Washington Post, you should adjust your routine to match your productivity. If you are more of a nightbird, change your schedule to accommodate that. Budget personal time so that you get your work done without sacrificing your private life.
• Play music or other background white noise. Otherwise, the silence can be deafening. If you miss the hubbub of the office, consider playing video game soundtracks for motivation and inspiration. You can also turn the TV on for company as long as it doesn’t distract you from work.
• Communicate directly and decisively. This includes setting expectations for children and other people you share your home with. It also applies to managers and those who report to you. Set expectations for when you will check in or communicate progress on a project.
• Utilize technology. At work, you may be used to formal video conferences and meetings. It takes more effort to stay engaged from home. Schedule regular meetings using Webex, Zoom, Skype, Slack, and your other favorite tools.

Automating Finances to Improve Productivity in Your Personal Life

Use some of the time you will save in commuting to simplify your personal finances. This will give you more time to spend with your family or figure out how to work more productively.

Here are several ways that Border Bank can help you automate bill pay, refinance your mortgage, and take advantage of savvy tools from a technology-centric bank:

• Sign up for online banking tools. You may already have online and/or mobile access to your accounts, but you may not have all your bills set up for automatic payment. Now is a good time to do it. Not enrolled in online banking yet? It’s the first step to also getting set up for mobile banking. It’s easy (really) - and we encourage you to reach out to one of our bankers nearest you so they may walk you through the process over the phone.
• Take advantage of record low interest rates to refinance your home and save money. With a lower mortgage rate, you can put more money back for college and save for family vacations.
• Savings opportunities include Individual Retirement Accounts, , and certificates of deposit. Find out which investment opportunities fit your risk profile.
• Consider a line of credit or bank issued credit card. These options provide optimal opportunities to maximize your investment.
• Business checking accounts. If you operate a home-based business, set up an account that gives you the best rates and other perks to simplify your accounting.

For information about how Border Bank can simplify your finances and help you maximize your productivity, contact us today.

"Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” – Stephen Covey

References:

https://www.lifehack.org/369556/8-tips-set-your-home-office-for-serious-productivity

https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2020/article/ability-to-work-from-home.htm

https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/article/how-to-increase-productivity-while-working-from-home-/