House call: 3 tips to improve your remote working experience

Working from home is nothing new but due to increased COVID-19 cases, it looks like it’s going to be around a bit longer — if not for good. If you’re still working from home, it might be time for an upgrade. Here are three things to consider:

1. Strong Wi-Fi is essential: If you’re still struggling through slow connection speeds, perhaps it’s time to look into

an upgrade. After all, nothing is more frustrating for the at-home worker than a poor internet connection. Find a reliable, cost-effective provider who gets positive reviews from neighbors and friends but make sure your service is good 24 hours a day, not just during those times when everyone’s asleep.

2. Find a dedicated space: Sure, the kitchen table seemed like a good spot for a temporary workstation but we’re well past the “temporary” stage. If you’re serious about getting some work done, you’ll need to find a place that you can use exclusively for work — or at least exclusively during the hours you need to focus on your job without sitting across from your Cheerio-chomping, sippycup-brandishing, temporary co-worker. Not that you don’t love your Cheeriochomping, sippy-cup-brandishing, temporary co-worker, it’s just that you need to get some things done.

3. Be a little selfish: There will be times when your roommates, whether they’re partners, children, friends or family members, will expect you to do certain things because, after all, you’re home. Be careful. It’s OK to say that you can’t take your son to the dentist at 1:30 p.m. because you’re working or that you won’t be available for a four-hour window to let the water-heater installers in if you have an important conference call at 4 p.m.