Working from home with theTaxGroup

Our veteran tips on how to succeed at home during COVID-19

So, you’re working from home. You may not be aware of this, but we at theTaxGroup not only consider ourselves experts in the field of corporate tax, but also in the fine art of working from home. Our fellow working from home veterans will testify that it’s a practiced art, one that doesn’t always come easily to the inexperienced. So, if you struggle with remaining productive, motivated, organized or focused while working from home, you came to the right place because we’re here to show you the way. Keep reading for our best tips on working from home:

Pick a designated workspace

Entering a physical space you specifically designate for work will help you disconnect from home life and get in the groove of focusing completely on your work. If you don’t have a desk at home to work from, pick a space at your dining room table or kitchen counter even. Make your chosen workspace comfortable with a good chair and decorate it how you might at your regular workspace. Maintaining this designated space for your work will allow you to better avoid the distractions of your home life and additionally, “leave” work when done for the day.

Maintain a schedule

Just as you have chosen a designated workspace, you should maintain your regular work schedule. You’ll get your best work done and be most ready to transition back to the office if you stick with your regular hours. Plus, if your role is collaborative, being on the same schedule as your coworkers will make everything continue to run as smoothly as possible.

Embrace your loungewear 

This is a controversial tip compared to other working from home articles you’ve probably seen, but we believe there is no better time to truly embrace the embodiment of ‘casual Friday’ than when working from home. You’ve got plenty to deal with right now, so allow yourself to fully embrace the benefits of working from home. By maintaining your most comfortable physical self, your mind will be able to relax wholly into focusing on your work without the distraction of less comfortable clothing. Trust us on this.

Take breaks

It can be easy to forget to take breaks when you’re working from home, but the same standards apply as they should when working in the office. Breaks allow for us to benefit from mental and physical refreshers, making it easier to be productive when we need to be. And don’t forget to indulge in the benefits of how different breaks can be when working from home. Walk your dog, make a healthy lunch, or do a quick workout. The possibilities for breaktime activities are much more versatile when working from home, so make sure to take advantage and diversify your day a bit.

Increase communication

If you’re used to working amongst your coworkers in an office environment, communicating with your coworkers will be quite different now that you’re working from home. Make sure to increase your daily communication to keep your team informed of what tasks you’re working on and keep in touch using more than just emails – instead, try scheduling phone calls or video conferences.

Set boundaries, but don’t fret

We know that for many, working from home right now is complicated by the fact that children are also home due to school closures. This can be difficult for parents trying to manage their regular work responsibilities coupled with trying to keep up with keeping children occupied or maintaining their home schooling. Set boundaries with your kids regarding your workspace and speak to them about the times in which they should be giving you space to focus on your work, but don’t fret about the stuff you can’t control. This part of working from home can be difficult and interruptions are bound to happen. Go with the flow, realize that many are struggling with the same things right now and focus on managing the best you can. And lastly, it's important to us to as an organization to stay vigilant in following the safety guidelines laid out by our governing bodies. For this reason, our office will be closed until deemed safe to reopen. If you wish to reach us, we recommend you visit our website at www.thetaxgroup.ca, and use our contact page. Stay safe, stay home and wash those hands our friends!