Tips for Teachers

I work from home. For some of you, this is a new thing. Sure, perhaps you've worked from home now and then, but never for a long stretch. Trust me when I say it might require some planning and rethinking of your habits. Here are a few tips that might help:

1.) Follow a routine. I can't stress this enough. If you plan a routine and stick to it, things will feel less "different" -- you'll be more productive and less likely to overwork.

2.) Work in a spot that's NOT also used for sleeping or playtime--another room or quiet corner will do. This will limit distractions and help you get into a "work" mindset. Similarly...sure, you can now wear pajamas all day. Believe me, I've tried that. So trust me when I say that getting dressed will signal your brain that you're working and you'll be sharper mentally.

3.) Plan food/drink for your day ahead of time. Prepare a simple lunch. Fill a jug with water, grab healthy snacks, and keep them nearby. This prevents that standing-in-front-of-the-open-fridge indecision and makes it more likely you'll eat food that's nutritious rather than just convenient. Remember: we need our health more than ever now.

4.) Tag a work buddy. Arrange a daily check-in with a pal. Ask how productive they've been and talk through issues -- or just chat. This will keep you honest about your work habits (peer pressure can be good sometimes) and prevent you from isolating too much.

5.) If you, understandably, find it hard to concentrate right now, try this tip from my pal Penny Parker Klostermann: Set a timer for ~20 or 25 minutes and work for that amount of time. Anyone can do anything for 20 minutes. Perhaps you'll keep up these short bursts all day with brief breaks to reset in between. Perhaps you'll do it a couple times and then be able to focus. Worth a try.

6.) Rewards might also work. Set a goal and reward yourself with, say, chocolate or an episode of The Great British Baking Show. (Be honest with yourself, though.)

7.) Introverts and others who are home with family/roommates and can't concentrate: Try noise canceling headphones, calming music via earbuds, or even plain old earplugs. If you can, change work hours to a much earlier or later time of day when your home is quieter.

8.) Extroverts or others who need people and activity in order to focus: Try the short burst method (#5 above), try "ambient noise" apps, and find other extroverts you can stay in touch with via Zoom or other platforms.

9.) Lastly, I want to stress taking care of yourself. Eat right. Exercise. Get enough rest. Be extra careful slicing bagels and going down stairs. The health care system is about to be overwhelmed. Now isn't the time to get hurt or come down with infections. Be well, everyone!