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to try and keep the same work hours for a couple of reasons. First, people are expecting you to work during your regular hours, which makes it easier for them to get in touch with you. Second, if you normally work from 8–5, it’s easier for your brain to transition from personal time to work time if you stick to that schedule. Bonus Tools I’d also like to recommend a few tools that have been incredibly useful to my team during this time and the past year. In addition to Slack, my team and I like to use Zoom, a videoconference app that allows us to set up quick meetings with clients, coworkers, and vendors. We also use Calendly for calendar scheduling, which eliminates the back and forth of trying to set up calendar appointments. Both Zoom and Calendly offer free options and have increased our productivity significantly when working remotely. Another great resource is LinkedPhone, which is a virtual reception service for small businesses and entrepreneurs. In these difficult times, we encourage all of you to keep in touch and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you. Hopefully these tips will assist some of you in working from home, especially those who end up working remotely on a permanent basis. If you have any questions about remote work, please feel free to reach out to us. We’ve worked out many systems and processes (not all mentioned here) that allow us to stay productive and serve our clients in the best way possible.
No. 5 If you can, set up a separate workspace apart from the rest of your house. Try to avoid the kitchen table! The kitchen is probably the worst place to work because it’s the center of life at home. You’ll be constantly interrupted by family going in and out as they get something to eat. Even if you don’t have family, it will be tempting for you to get up and grab snacks throughout the day, which can lead to some unwanted weight gain and poor eating habits. Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room either. Carve out some space in the bedroom or a room you don’t use often, but make sure it’s out of the way so you won’t get constantly interrupted. No. 6 Organize your time by blocking it. Time blocking, a method I use, is a productive way to break up your day and dedicate a few hours to work on specific tasks. I block out hours at a time to focus on specific projects, cases, phone calls, and whatever else I might need to do that day. Usually, the first thing I do when I get up is review my task list that I worked on the day before and block out time on my calendar to accomplish those tasks. If I don’t do this, a lot of my time gets filled with interruptions that aren’t on my task list. While you’re blocking out your own time, make sure to put in a few breaks, which is especially important when you’re working from home. I like to go for a walk around the block because that means I get to take my dog out with me. For 10–15 minutes we get some fresh air; he enjoys it, I enjoy it, and it’s a great way to break up the day. No. 7 Try to keep the same schedule you’d have if you were going into the office. It’s tempting to sleep in and start work late at home, but I’ve found it’s best HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb Springtime often means nicer weather and more time spent outside, but it also means it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s
–TomAskeroth
Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants. Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!
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