The world has changed dramatically in a very short time and COVID-19 is forcing us to adapt quickly and change the way we work, shop, and live. Those with office jobs are, for the most part, able to move their office into their homes to continue their work. While this is a privilege to be able to keep working and supporting yourself, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is easy. Individuals have to stay motivated and productive in an environment that has typically been associated with decompressing after a day of work and hanging out with friends and family. We at Tech Talent South have a relatively remote team, so we figured we could offer some tips and tricks to help make your social distancing work day a little easier and more productive. 

1. Maintain your work routine. Wake up, get dressed, and get the day started as you normally would. Yes, you’re home but if you stay in pajamas all day you’re not going to be in the work mindset. 
2. Keep moving! Whether that be going on a quick walk between meetings or jamming to a JLo playlist like our teammate Meagan (see below), you’ll feel more energized if you’re moving around a bit. Exercise like you used to – gyms may be closed but there are plenty of online resources to help you stay active.{% video_player “embed_player” overrideable=False, type=’scriptV4′, hide_playlist=True, viral_sharing=False, embed_button=False, width=’197′, height=’350′, player_id=’27830804742′, style=’margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; display: block; float: right; width: 197px;’ %}
3. Make work time, work time. Communicate to anyone else in your home that you’re on the clock and focused. Make sure you have everything you need for the day around you, just as you would in the office – this means headphones, notebook, water bottle, etc. The more you get up to get things the more you risk distractions. 
4. Have a space for working that’s separate from your space for lounging. Don’t Netflix and chill where you work – this blurs the lines and makes it harder to be productive. 
5. Take some breaks! Just as you would in the office, it’s good to have some time to relax throughout the day. Chat with your roommate, refill your coffee, play with your dog, check in with your other quarantined friends.
6. Stay organized. There are plenty of distractions around the house, so try to keep yourself accountable. Keep a planner, load up your Google calendar, or put Post-it notes all over your space. Whatever works for you to stay on track. And celebrate the little wins when you complete your goals (now’s the time to eat all the snacks in your pantry). 
7. Connect with other humans. Working remotely can be lonely, even without the additional social distancing we’re doing now, so make sure to build in some time to socialize. This can be video calling your coworkers, organizing a virtual happy hour, or FaceTiming your mom. Times are weird, scary, and stressful so make sure you check in on your loved ones and take care of yourself. 
8. Create clear goals, in and out of work. Many of us are finding ourselves with more free time and less structure than we’re used to which this can be confusing and disorienting. Use this extra time to get to things you might not otherwise. Take on new projects at work or learn a new skills – puzzles, books, baking, maybe even coding! 

Tech Talent South has shifted our classes online, creating an environment where individuals can still collaborate and learn digitally. It’s never been easier to learn how to code from the comfort of your home – might as well give it a shot and apply today!