15 tips on working from home: Find your balance

02/09/2023 — Key takeaways:

• When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and many offices sent workers home, it was uncertain when we would go back into the office.
• 4 years from that first lockdown, many companies have implemented full-time and hybrid remote work policies.
• It can still feel hard to establish helpful working habits outside of the office—below we’ll share tips from our blog contributors on working from home.

Although recent trends suggest more workers are returning to the office at least part-time, remote work is still more popular than it was before the pandemic. Now, as many as 63% of workers are required by their employer to commute to the office a certain number of days per week or month.¹

With that said, it’s still important to find what works well for you when set up at home, whether you’re there for a few days, or the whole week. We asked some of our Nationwide Financial Advisor Advocate blog contributors to share their tips on what works well for them when it comes to working from home. We hope you can take some of these tips and incorporate them into your daily routine.

Work on staying connected

It can be hard to stay connected with people when working from home.  This is a great time to offer yourself as a mentor. The interaction will help you feel connected while providing wonderful value to someone wanting to expand their knowledge.

– Shawn Britt, Technical Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute
More about Shawn Britt▹

Take breaks during the work day

It’s just me and my husband in the house (kids long gone), so WFH can be isolating. Try to avoid working while you eat lunch – but instead – go on a walk and take a sandwich with you. So many people are walking dogs in the middle of the day now – which gives you a chance to get some fresh air, exercise, and see or chat with people. You will be refreshed, feel healthier, and be ready to work when you return home.

– Shawn Britt, Technical Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Minimize distractions while working from home

When determining where to set-up your home office, choose a room with a door that latches (and preferably locks).  The ability to shut out any two or four legged family and limit distractions is critical.

– George Schein, Technical Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute
More about George Schein▹

If you have children at home, or spouses working from home (or partially retired as I do) – those family members may interrupt your working momentum throughout the day.  Put your company badge on – and tell family members that when you are wearing your badge, you are in the middle of important work,  and they may only approach you if the need is urgent. (Yes, I have had to use this with my husband – and it works!)

– Shawn Britt, Technical Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Dress for success

Even if you don’t think you will have any web-based video meetings on a particular day, get dressed for work anyway. Not only does it help establish a "work" frame of mind, you will also already be prepared if someone wants to set up a video call or conference at the last minute. I have a rotating stack of Nationwide Polo’s with the Nationwide Eagle at the left breast of the shirt that I wear daily. When I have a call that requires me to be on camera, the Nationwide Logo is always visible.

– George Schein, Technical Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Break the paper habit

In the office I had many reference materials in hard copy form that I found I didn’t really need when I started working from home.  I don’t miss all the paper files I used to access when I was in the office and not having all that paper around has made my workspace feel calmer and more productive.

– Tom Duncan, Senior Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute
More about Tom Duncan▹

Change up your environment

Change working location in house or apartment intra-day to inspire, change perspective. This works well on those days where I have far more calls than blocked productivity time and I don’t necessarily need to be on camera. Move from your normal workplace to the kitchen table, front porch, bonus room, etc.  I’ve even packed lunch a couple times and sat in the shade on a park bench with my laptop to watch NF all associate livestreams broadcasts.

– Carlo Cordasco, Senior National Director of Insights and Solutions Field Team, Nationwide Retirement Institute
More about Carlo Cordasco▹

Don’t sit in the chair all day long

We’ve all heard the advice to get up and move around during the day, but I’ve found it easier to remember to do that at home versus being in the office because I’ll create a short list of small things I’d like to do that day as a reason to get out of the chair.  Creating that list of three or four things that I can do in five or ten minutes serves as my reminder to stand up and move around during the day.

– Tom Duncan, Senior Director, Advanced Consulting Group, Nationwide Retirement Institute

A Sit-Stand Desk has been essential for me as most of our meetings have become virtual.  We no longer get the opportunity to stretch our legs in the walks between meetings and sitting in one spot all day can really take a toll physically and mentally.  Having the ability to change it up between sitting and standing is a big help.

– JJ Perez, President, Nationwide Financial Corporate Solutions
More about JJ Perez▹

Take a couple 10-15 minute walk breaks over the course of the day around the house or outside if weather permits. Get some vitamin D!

– Carlo Cordasco, Senior National Director of Insights and Solutions Field Team, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Make your virtual meetings look more professional

Project a top notch digital presence with the right equipment; camera, microphone, lighting. Frame yourself properly on camera and choose an appropriate background.

– Carlo Cordasco, Senior National Director of Insights and Solutions Field Team, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Protect your time

Be deliberate with your calendar. Coordinate booking time for both focusing on projects and clustering meetings and calls to minimize disruptions and optimize outcomes. Use 15, 25, and 45 minute meeting durations instead of defaulting to 30 and 60 minute meetings. Remember, not all calls need to be on video.

– Carlo Cordasco, Senior National Director of Insights and Solutions Field Team, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Allow for life to happen during Zoom or Teams meetings

Recognize everyone’s humanness. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Doorbells, dogs barking, kids interrupting. Acknowledge the distraction, have a laugh where appropriate then move on and let it go.

– Carlo Cordasco, Senior National Director of Insights and Solutions Field Team, Nationwide Retirement Institute

Find your daily routine

It’s really about starting your day with a routine that energizes you.  It’s important to start my day with the same routine  – whether that’s from home or the office, the consistency helps. If working from home, I’m pretty intentional about reading inspirational quotes every morning. It gets my mind anchored in a place of positivity. If I don’t have time to go outside every morning, I always open my window to let some fresh, air in my office – that is, as long as it’s not 32 degrees or colder. And, it’s important to end your day with something that invigorates you – mentally and physically.  A 30-minute run, bike ride, yoga or meditation can do wonders to re-energize you at the end of the day.  

– Kristi Rodriguez, SVP, Nationwide Retirement Institute
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