(The following content is provided courtesy of our marketing friends at Pivot Group.  Thanks for sharing your expertise!)

Like you—and everyone in our nation and across the world—we are watching the news about COVID-19 carefully and doing what we can to respond thoughtfully and responsibly. The communities we serve are strong, and together we’ll all get through this challenging and unprecedented situation.

Suddenly working from your bed, your kitchen table, or your couch all seems enticing. However, setting up a designated workspace will help you eliminate distractions and stay focused during office hours. There’s nothing worse than working from your kitchen table with a pile of dirty dishes staring at you. Trust us.

Having a reliable internet and phone connection is paramount while working from home. We recommend running an internet speed test to assure you are able to maintain productivity with a number of new devices being connected on your home network. If not, give us a call—we’re here to help  you and your kids work productively from home during COVID-19.

Set expectations with your team around your availability and make it clear when and how people can best get ahold of you. Phone calls, text messages, instant messaging, emails, and video conferencing are powerful ways to stay connected with your team during this time.

Working from home is not always easy on everyone and your team may be struggling with uncertainty, loneliness, their workload, or more. Now is the time to be a good neighbor—reach out and check in with your team.

Matching your playlist to your task at hand can be a great way to get motivated, stay focused, and conquer your task list. Personally, we recommend Metallica and Mozart.

It is important to treat a work from home scenario as though you are working from your office. Wake up early, get showered and dressed, and take your usual breaks and lunch break like you would normally. This structure will help you keep your regular rhythm and keep your day from getting away from you.

Now more than ever, personal hygiene is important. Even though you are at home, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly is crucial. While there are many guides out there on proper hand-washing techniques, this is one of our favorites.

Having a reliable internet and phone connection is paramount while working from home. We recommend running an internet speed test to assure you are able to maintain productivity with a number of new devices being connected on your home network. If not, give us a call—we’re here to help  you and your kids work productively from home during COVID-19.

Working from home and social distancing can be hard. Maintaining your mental health is important for creativity, productivity, and your overall well-being. Check out this list of ways to support your mental health during COVID-19. We like the idea of getting out in nature and reaching out to venerable neighbors.

Because schools are temporarily shut down as a means to slow the spread of COVID-19, working from home with little ones can be challenging. We recommend planning activities to keep your kids entertained so you can remain productive.

Staying informed is crucial to your health and safety. We recommend sharing resources with your team on new developments in your area. Follow sites like the CDC’s Coronavirus page or the World Health Organization’s page to stay updated.