For some, working from home is a new adventure. It's very likely that this will be required for some time. This guide might help in the months to come.

1. A GUIDE TO WORKING
FROM HOME
By Shon Holyfield

2. For some of you working from home is a
new adventure. It is very likely that we
will be working from for some time.
So, with that said here is some
information that I hope helps you in the
months to come.

3. Before you start: do your best to
be patient with yourself and others

4. Change is challenging. It can be stressful and
frustrating. That is normal – every person I
know that works from home goes through
many of the same things.

5. • You may not like your home set up as
much as your office
• You may have to take twice as long to
get things done because you are not set
up the same way at home
• You may not have great internet
• You may not have great phone service
• You may not have a place to easily work

6. • You may have a significant other that wants
your attention or needs your help or has a list
of things they want you to do in addition to all
the work you need to get done
• You may have children that just want to be
with you
• You may have projects at home that are
staring you in the face
• You may have to cook and clean and more

7. Take a deep breath and let it out. Smile.
Remember that there is no one to protect you
from yourself when you start beating yourself up
If you screw it up – well okay. That happens.
Forgive yourself and try to do better next time.
There is a lot of stress going around right now –
do the best you can to be patient and
understanding.

8. Step One: have a family meeting – explain what is
happening and be patient
Each of you want to be informed and to know what is
going on at work. Your family does too.
First and foremost, make sure you make the time to
patiently let those around you understand what you
are doing and why you are doing it.

9. A good friend of mine reminded me that – it is
normal for those you love to want to be with you –
count yourself lucky! Remember to be patient
with them – especially if they don’t have to work.
They may not immediately understand. That is
okay – you may need to go over this more than
once.

10. Tell them the truth (do it in your own words) –
This is what I told my family – There are 130+
people at TTR (where I work) and their
families that are relying on me to do my job
and do it well. They rely on me – they rely on
one another. Our clients are all relying on us
too – all 8,000+ of them. When we do our job,
tax gets paid right. Right now, more than ever,
tax really needs to get to the government and
agencies that need it.

11. Tax is the money being used to help find a
cure – to pay for the CDC, vaccines, and all
the things the government is doing to help
everyone with COVID-19. We have to be there
for them. I have to be there for them I need
your support and help in doing this. I can’t do
it without your support.But if I do my job,
maybe, just maybe – some of this tax will get
to those that need it most. I want to do my
part.

12. Step Two: create a work space
I realize this may not be easy or possible – so do the
best you can. It is important to have a space at
home that you can temporarily call your “office.” It
is the place where you will take calls, do work, and
hopefully have few distractions. Before I had an
office, this was my kitchen table (when my kids
were at school). With families home, it may be
necessary to use your bedroom or some other place
that you can go to work. Do the best you can.

13. Step Three: create daily plans, keep a schedule –
for work and family, and get things done
Use your commuting time to create great daily
plans. Schedule your day to get things done.
Then, get them done.
It is important to work during your scheduled work
times. Remember that others are relying on you.
INCLUDE in your schedule time for family. It will
make those at home feel important if they are
included in the schedule. Make sure they are
included and make the time to let them know they
are included.

14. It is totally okay to have fun with your
schedule like this:
1st Half of Day:
Check email
Plan day
Team Meeting
Get things done
LUNCH with family!
2nd Half of Day:
Get things done
Afternoon get together
30 minutes – game with family/friend/etc.
DINNER with family!

15. Fun idea: Instead of foosball or other
games or breaks you might normally
take at work – set a time to do
something (15-30 minutes) with family
each work day or whatever makes
sense for you home situation.

16. Step Four: stay connected – more important than
ever
Check email as though you were at your desk.
Answer your phone. Use your phone to stay
connected to your teams.
We often forget the value of hearing a person’s voice
or seeing a smile on the face of the person in front
of you.
Now, more than ever, it is important that we stay
connected. Use the phone list to call those you
work with. If you normally spend 15 minutes talking
to a friend at work – call them – stay connected.

17. Step Five: get more done than ever – a test to
measure your performance
Someone once told me that when you are working
from home – there is a test you can use to tell if you
are successful:
You know you are successfully working from home
when you are getting so much done and are so busy
that you would actually rather be back in the office.
I laughed at the time over this idea. This is meant to
be funny and bring a smile to your face, but after
working at home for 4 years, that’s actually pretty
accurate.

18. Step Six: remember when to call it a day and have fun
This is one of the hardest things to do. You have to
make time for those you live with – especially if they
are not working – they will want your time. You have
to give yourself time to “recharge your batteries.”
Make sure you give yourself time to have fun and do
things that bring you joy in life. You will feel good
about doing this if you are getting a lot done while you
work. You’ve earned it! So have fun too.
I admire each and every one of you for making it
through all of this.