If the idea of working from home was a utopia for many workers, 2020 has made this a reality. And, what at the beginning of the year seemed temporary, now seems to become more recurrent and, for many, even definitive.

However, working from home is not as good as so many imagined. It has advantages, but the lack of personal contact, routines, leaving the house or even the absence of controlled schedules, makes many suffer more for being at home than in traditional workplaces.

Not to mention those who have to do their job, while having young children demanding attention at all times. As one person said "Working from home while the kids are at home, is like brushing your teeth while eating an Oreo".

Looking ahead to new future quarantines, it is important to think of some tips to facilitate work from home.

1. Define your working hours, which do not need to be exactly the same as you had, combining work and personal obligations. But homework cannot be crossed with work, as much as possible - you can work for blocks of time, as long as everything is well controlled, even to avoid that at the end of the day, after work, you still have an endless "to do list" to handle at home;
2. Create a work space, not forgetting that you must have light, plugs, water and preferably no clothes lying on the floor. It is not by working at home that one can work while lying in bed;
3. Create a routine - did it look bad before you were home? But be aware that it is essential to not lose control;
4. Try to establish daily meetings to keep in touch and help colleagues who are in the same situation and may be suffering from the fact that they are at home. More than ever, it is time to be more understanding and work more together;
5. Do not start inventing elaborate meals or wasting time with it. If you didn't cook during working hours, you shouldn't do it now. Do everything in advance to avoid lengthening your lunch hour. For example, enjoy you lunch time to rest or to do some housework;
6. Take breaks throughout the day. Haven't you stopped to drink coffee before? Do the same now. Without abusing;
7. No televisions connected nearby, or other forms of distraction;
8. Dress up!! Don't spend the day in your pajamas. Be sure to get dressed, even if it is more comfortable clothes than usual, and do the daily hygiene routine. Including perfume;
9. If it’s to hard to keep all these rules and if the desire to rest and relax is too strong, there is always an infallible method. Print the boss's face in large size and place it on the wall of our workspace. You know it's just a photo, but you'll see that it works.