Bad habits whilst working from home

[Username888]

I used to WFH once a week before lockdown, with just my laptop, plonked wherever I landed. Since lockdown I'm WFH full-time, and have turned 2 walls of my gym into a decent office setup.

It took some getting used at first, initially I was regularly working more hours, as I found it more difficult to seperate work & homelife.

I've settlted into it now and I'm not seeing much difference, apart from during the times that I am not busy, I am far more productive.

I find it easier to concentrate, something about the peace & quiet and being in my own space. I feel like I am more my own boss for some reason.

Occasionally I have had to pop into the office, and of course it's great to have those little chats with (the few) colleagues (who happend to be around that day) - but to be honest, my work isn't the most sociable place, very quiet open plan office, people always rushing straight home after work, - so, sad as it sounds, there's not a huge social side to miss.

I'd be quite happy to continue WFH for the foreseeable, I think going into the office once a fortnight would be perfect for me.

[dontlookdown]

crofty1984 said:

Doofus said:

dontlookdown said:

Doofus said:

dontlookdown said:

You are institutionalised and this old office habit takes time and effort to break. Try escaping for 10 or 15mins at other times and work up from there.

I have been self employed and WFH for 4yrs, after 20yrs as an employee in various offices.It took me a year to realise I didn't have to do 8.30-6.00 If I didn't want to anymore, and another year to properly kick the habit and stop feeling guilty about 'time off' during the day. So long as the work gets done you are not slacking. It can even make you more productive sometimes.

It's worth sticking at it because the ability to take a break or nip out for an hour or two in the middle of the day is one real perk to WFH.

You are, as you have said, self employed. That makes a huge difference, and the way you work won't usually work for somebody who is employed. I don't have a 'proper' job either, and thus the way I manage my time is of no real relevande to this thread.

Yes it does make a big difference being self-employed, but poster wanted to know how to tackle presenteeism while WFH, something which I do have some insight to. It is possible to learn from people who are in different but not entirely dissimilar situations

I appreciate that, but in many cases, presenteeism is driven from above, not by the individual themselves. I often claim to be unavailable for meetings when in fact I am, because I don't want people to expect me to be at their beck and call. I used to do that when I was employed, too.

I guess what I was saying that it is very much dependent on the type of organisation you work for, and the job you do there, and being responsible for your own diary/workload/time is not a luxury all of us enjoy.

Definitely not having a go in my other post. You make a good point that I 100% agree with, were my own circumstances different.

No worries, I didn't think you were. I pretend to be less available than I am sometimes, too. Especially with those who make a big fuss about their stacked diaries. Like you say, it doesn't do for clients to think you are just sat there eagerly waiting for their call!

[Woodrow Wilson]

Username888 said:

I used to WFH once a week before lockdown, with just my laptop, plonked wherever I landed. Since lockdown I'm WFH full-time, and have turned 2 walls of my gym into a decent office setup.

It took some getting used at first, initially I was regularly working more hours, as I found it more difficult to seperate work & homelife.

I've settlted into it now and I'm not seeing much difference, apart from during the times that I am not busy, I am far more productive.

I find it easier to concentrate, something about the peace & quiet and being in my own space. I feel like I am more my own boss for some reason.

I really struggle with the concentration. Productivity is much reduced. I have no interest in the work at all, but foolishly chose this path as a teenager and should have changed direction after university.

[Chicken_Satay]

I'm so bored with WFH now that I'm concerned my productivity is suffering. Unless it's something urgent/with a specific deadline, I find it's way too easy to get distracted with pretty much anything!

Just to add a couple of bad habits from today:

Researching Riva Aquarama boats for sale even though I have no intention of buying one.
Watching YouTube videos of an amateur womens' pole vaulting competition in Barcelona... FFS

Edited by Chicken_Satay on Wednesday 4th November 15:49

[Otispunkmeyer]

Biscuits

Lots of biscuits.

And getting out of bed at 5 minutes to, popping on the dressing gown and that being it for the day. We do teams meetings but because of my dining room table setup the laptop is perched on its side on a chair and of course the camera is in the lid. So I can sit in my dressing gown with nothing on under it all day.

Taken to it like a duck to water though. If I've got a day of just working on my own stuff with no meetings, well I'll quite happily do not much in the afternoon and get a second wind later in the evening. I've done some of my best work this way. Instead of stewing over a problem all afternoon I sack it off and do something unrelated. Come back to it several hours later and suddenly, I can solve it.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 4th November 19:30

[T5SOR]

Just a few;

Eating more in the day
Less exercise (even more now the gym has closed)
More time on PH
Drinking more in the weekday evenings
Spending more on home office

I can’t see me or the wife going back on site until Q2 2021.

[vulture1]

Chicken_Satay said:

I'm so bored with WFH now that I'm concerned my productivity is suffering. Unless it's something urgent/with a specific deadline, I find it's way too easy to get distracted with pretty much anything!

Just to add a couple of bad habits from today:

Researching Riva Aquarama boats for sale even though I have no intention of buying one.
Watching YouTube videos of an amateur womens' pole vaulting competition in Barcelona... FFS

Edited by Chicken_Satay on Wednesday 4th November 15:49

I'm sure you'll get over it.

[RammyMP]

I can’t sit at my desk for longer than a few minutes, I find myself just wandering round the house, looking out of each window checking the perimeter. If I hear a car door shut or a car start or some other noise I go and investigate. I need our office to reopen soon!

[Chicken_Satay]

RammyMP said:

...looking out of each window checking the perimeter.

That's interesting. Has anybody managed to breach the perimeter so far? Have you had to deal with intruders of any description?

[Doofus]

RammyMP said:

I can’t sit at my desk for longer than a few minutes, I find myself just wandering round the house, looking out of each window checking the perimeter. If I hear a car door shut or a car start or some other noise I go and investigate. I need our office to reopen soon!

People can still breach the perimeter and close car doors when you're not there, you know.

[indestructible focus]

Chicken_Satay said:

I'm so bored with WFH now that I'm concerned my productivity is suffering. Unless it's something urgent/with a specific deadline, I find it's way too easy to get distracted with pretty much anything!

Just to add a couple of bad habits from today:

Researching Riva Aquarama boats for sale even though I have no intention of buying one.
Watching YouTube videos of an amateur womens' pole vaulting competition in Barcelona... FFS

Edited by Chicken_Satay on Wednesday 4th November 15:49

No way I had the same video pop up, cheeky to say the least.

My time is spent researching companies for trading, watch track day videos and call of duty warzone videos. And of course work but being made redudent next year due to new system nothing covid related...

[Magnum 475]

I've got an extra one. It helps that I'm working my notice having had enough of my employer's behaviour. I seem to find chances to sleep during the day. A lot.

This will have to change when I start with my new company in a little over a week from now. I hope it's not going to be a hard habit to break.

[Chicken_Satay]

indestructible focus said:

No way I had the same video pop up, cheeky to say the least.

It definitely was. Worth a look though

[Doofus]

Chicken_Satay said:

indestructible focus said:

No way I had the same video pop up, cheeky to say the least.

It definitely was. Worth a look though

It didn't pop up for me. "Oh, bum," I thought, "I'll have to search for it myself."

[Pig benis]

I am lucky in that I've always had the option to WFH, but that doesn't mean I'm any good at it. I've always been easily distracted, but I'm even worse when I know I'm not being watched.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful to have a job which pays well etc, but suck me sideways, I really hate WFH.

[RammyMP]

Chicken_Satay said:

RammyMP said:

...looking out of each window checking the perimeter.

That's interesting. Has anybody managed to breach the perimeter so far? Have you had to deal with intruders of any description?

Only the amazon delivery driver

[OMITN]

The one thing I have spent loads on is IT peripherals.

Started with work laptop. I’ve now bought a wireless mouse, USB hub, 27” monitor, laser printer and also had my “temporary” desk area wired for electricity and ethernet.

I did build my desk (wife has the study - I am quite happy to shut her, her mess and the endless lectures she delivers along with the sound of whining PhD students behind closed doors) so now the only thing I now need to buy is a desk chair - the dining chair has ruined my back.

Otherwise I miss my commute. Yes, it was on the hideous old Pacers of Northern Rail, but it was some me time to plan the day, unpack the day and read and listen to music and podcasts. Don’t get time for any of that at hone now.

[rxe]

JakeT said:

I have a settee in my home office. I often take a lie down (with the camera off) when on boring stretched out calls that I don't really need to be on.

This.

Everyone goes on about how you should have a proper office. I do, but rather a lot of the last few weeks has been spent on a well used Chesterfield in the conservatory. It’s called the dog sofa because it is the only furniture in the house that the dogs are allowed on. Post lunch conf call, warm room, German Shepherd asleep on my chest, sleep is inevitable.

[jrock78]

Seven pages in and not one mention of pornhub :

[spikeyhead]

jrock78 said:

Seven pages in and not one mention of pornhub :

That's because xhamster is far better