For Bridgeforce, remote work isn’t the new norm.

In a time when quarantines and social distancing have disrupted our daily routines, remotely working from home has quickly become the new norm for maintaining connections and supporting businesses by getting work done. For Bridgeforce consultants however, remote work isn’t new – and hasn’t been for over 10 years. Our  team helped us gather their best tips and tricks to staying healthy, happy, and focused while working remotely at home. Below on this blog and our LinkedIn page, keep your eye out for tested tips on being successful when not working in the office or onsite with clients.

Tips for Being Focused

• Carve out a dedicated work area. An office, a space in a bedroom, the basement; somewhere relatively private. Do NOT try to work from the kitchen table near the refrigerator! – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager
  • Where possible, put your “office” far from the kitchen or you will eat constantly! – Anne Priester, Senior Program Manager
• Ensure that family members living with you understand that you are working while in your “office space” and thus should not be disturbed unless something is urgent. A homemade sign works well.- Michelle Macartney, Managing Partner
• Wear shoes, even if they are “house shoes” (meaning you do not wear them outside and get them dirty). It helps with your back, your mentality and your housekeeping! – Andrew Domino, Managing Partner
• Don’t wear your pajamas all day – dress similarly to going to work on a normal day (but be comfortable). – Brian Reiss, Board Chairman
• Don’t face the window if you are easily distracted! It can be easy to drift into staring outside and daydreaming. – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager

Tips for Staying Healthy and Happy

• Bring in the outdoors by picking some flowers from the garden and putting them in your “office space”. – Kristin Stolp, Senior Program Manager
• Try to go for a walk every day – get outside and clear your head (while maintaining social distancing guidelines). – Anne Priester, Senior Program Manager
• Smile. Often. And go to bed at a reasonable hour! – Mary Ann Stropkay, Senior Industry Advisor
• If possible, take your work (laptop) outside… if even to your garden. Especially if you have young kids. – Lynne Cox, UK Senior Program Manager
• Schedule activities at break time. Go for a walk, do a workout video, play with the pet. – Dave Sanders, Senior Program Manager
• If your schedule allows for it, try to get in a workout mid-day. It won’t always work out timing wise, but when you can it’s a good way to break up the day. – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager

Tips for Better Organization

• For keeping a remote team engaged and on track, schedule and hold team meetings just as you would in an office, get comfortable with video calls. – Michelle Macartney, Managing Partner
• Clean out your files and work items periodically, every week (or at least every month). When it comes to your desk, having less is more. – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager
• Just like in school, keep your desk clean. – Andrew Domino, Managing Partner

Tips for Staying Productive

• Buy a desktop day calendar (quotes or definitions recommended). Helps you stay grounded in what day it is. – Andrew Domino, Managing Partner
• Establish a routine daily prior to the beginning of your workday. To make sure I’m up and alert, I walk my dog, shower, and have breakfast. – Quan Baker, Senior Consultant
• Keep a schedule. Doesn’t have to be perfect or rigid, but have pretty clear start and stop times. Don’t let work quietly expand throughout the entire morning/day/evening. – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager
• Get up and start the day as if you’re going to the office, i.e. take a shower, eat breakfast, get ready for the day. (For the women, hair styling and make-up is optional!). – Michelle Macartney, Managing Partner

Tips for Staying Social

• Double/triple check that your mute is working if you are going to do something “private” while on a call. – Anne Priester, Senior Program Manager
• Make weekly calls and any other contacts video-based.  Determine whether the contact prefers email or text and send personal notes just to stay connected. – Brian Reiss, Board Chairman
• Consider virtual happy hours to gather and socialize! – Dave Sanders, Senior Program Manager
• While online collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Skype are wonderful for chatting, along with e-mail, don’t forget the benefits of talking with someone real-time. – Michelle Macartney, Managing Partner
• Reach out to one random person a day (if possible, or at least 2-3 a week). If you haven’t connected with them in a while just send a quick note and say hi and wish them well. – Adam Chandler, Senior Program Manager
• Consider mailing food or small items as a surprise to keep people engage.  A funny item could be to ship a roll of TP. – Dave Sanders, Senior Program Manager