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Work well in your home office

One of the most important challenges in the home office: having to overcome isolation and at the same time suddenly needing to work agile. On top of that, the world of work and private life mix, as well as working hours and leisure time, because everything takes place in the same room. Here are a few tips to combat the resulting feelings of being overwhelmed:

consciously plan breaks

You are “at work” in your home office. Just like in the office, you should take breaks at home from time to time and; if necessary, be reminded by an alarm clock. The same rules apply as elsewhere: get up, see something different, think something different, do something different. And then move on.
Choose a quiet room and invest in the equipment

Above all, good lighting is important. Maybe you can even take equipment from your workplace to your home office. In this way, you also signal to your psyche: “Work is the order of the day here as well”.
Plan your work consciously

Just like in the office, you have times in your home office when work is easier for you. Plan your tasks in such a way that you use peak periods effectively. Establish a core working time that is inviolable, even to your family.
Set up routines

Dress as if you were going to the office for work. Show yourself that you take your work seriously, not only on days with video meetings. You will find it easier to get into your usual work routine. Routine also includes: Always work at the same place (ideally in a separate room) and always at the same time. Finish your work when your working hours are over.
actively take steps towards the others

Talk to colleagues and to your manager on a daily basis, if possible, and not only about content, but also about virtual teamwork and your fears (“I can't hear anything here anymore”, “I'm missing information”, etc.).
also talk to people from other departments

You should consciously plan what would happen in the corridor in passing or in the coffee corner in normal everyday life - not only with people from your own team. You should also make contact with people from other departments so that you feel well-connected
Keep in touch, keep in touch, keep in touch

Especially at the beginning of the activity in the home office, the social component is at least as important as the work content, processes and tools. Simply so that your thoughts do not constantly revolve around the others. The time for chatting has never been more important than now.
Make handwritten notes (prevent victim mode)

This sounds absurd and paradoxical. But by writing down your thoughts like in a logbook, you “ground” yourself: how am I doing right now? what worries me, and where am I confident? who could support me? which item on my digital to-do list seems attractive to me? what am I proud of? what would I not have dared to do? Self-reflection is important right now in order to continue to experience yourself as the master of your own destiny.
Use tools for self-organisation

For example, Trello or another KanBan tool that shows you what is pending, what you are doing and what you have done. This gives you the good feeling of not forgetting or overlooking anything. Of course, theoretically you can also do this by hand. But with every digital tool you master, you show that you can cope with the modern world. And definitely persevere, even in difficult situations!
Arrange fixed times for exchange

The more uncertain life seems to us, the more important social contact becomes - and this can also be achieved digitally, through video meetings. Find a colleague for exchange at fixed times. Just click on a virtual cup of tea - as a predictable appointment at unpredictable times. This is also the quickest way to find out whether it is time to register for a particular training course.