Much of the working world is now working from home. Many of us have found ourselves spending way more time in certain locations than we ever anticipated. Yet given the sudden changes in our world, we are all making do. To help us, many people have published their “Tips and Tricks” for working at home. Here at Zeta we did a bit of our own research, and here is a list of our team’s best learnings from week one of WFH. 

1. “The bed is for sleeping. The couch is for watching TV. The desk is for working.” – Kruti Mehta, Associate Director of Operational Strategy

What a way to kick us off. Could it be any simpler than that? This seemingly astute observation comes to us from Kruti, who as of a week ago, didn’t even have a desk (or a desk chair or a monitor or a drill. She still doesn’t have a drill, but the desk needed one for assembly so let’s check back in in a few days to see how it’s holding up, literally. Her chair, on the other hand, was quite easy to assemble, and she highly recommends it, if pink velvet is your thing.) 

2. “Eat on a regular schedule.” – Ryan Finn,  Associate Director of People and Culture

Again, so simple! Get up at the same time, shower the same way, and dress the same way. It can be tempting to wear only sweatpants and skip the shower, but maintaining a routine can really help your mood and boost your productivity. Some people might read this as a reminder to go eat for the first time today, and it’s already 4:00. I read it the opposite way: close the bag of trail mix and put it back in the kitchen because I’ve been eating it non-stop since 8:30 this morning. And it’s now 4:00. In case you were wondering, today Ryan ate, “Chicken, zucchini, tomato, pepper, cilantro, salsa, tabasco, flour tortilla heated over open flame.” 

3. “Get outside for some fresh air while the sun is up. NYC is beautiful!” – Samreen Khan, Director of Financial and Operational Strategy

Spending all day at or near your workspace, no matter how beautiful your desk chair is, can feel suffocating.   So schedule a break to your workday (we recommend blocking off time on your calendar) where you leave behind your technology, put on your walking shoes, and get outside. You might even discover new sights and streets in your neighborhood! 

4. “Close your computer and read a real book for 20 minutes” – Chris D’Amato, Director of Network Operations

While he doesn’t usually have time to read much in his normal routine, Chris has worked to build in time each day to step away from his computer, find a comfy spot (separate from his workspace), and read a book that’s been gaining some dust as of late. While there is great content out there on Netflix, we recommend giving your eyes a technology break and letting yourself experience the true joy of reading a good, old-fashioned book. Ironically, our team here at Zeta is reading Remote.

5. “The world is still spinning.” – me, Andrew Utter, People and Culture Associate 

On a bit of a more serious note, over the next few weeks, the Zeta team and I will do our best to not only keep our own spirits up but keep up the spirits of all those in our expanded community through lists like these (to make you smile), virtual meals (so that no one eats lunch alone), and a webseries updating you on Zeta’s community multiple times a week. Stay tuned with us, reach out if you need us, and know that our global community will get through this. New Yorkers are resilient and strong, and there is unimaginable power in team. 

Warmly from a distance,

Andrew