There is just so much going on in the world right now, I didn’t know where to start. Then, it hit me. As I was listening to the radio, the spokesman started talking about how difficult it has been for people who are new to working at home.

If you are new to working at home and you are feeling completely overwhelmed, believe me, you are not alone. Some people enjoy working from home whereas others are easily distracted. And let me tell you, it’s easy to get distracted with dogs and children running around.

Anyway, to get to the point, I am going to talk to you today about working from home with your furry doggy breathing heavily staring you in the face to play since you’re home.

START YOUR DAY RIGHT

Since you are now working from home, you’re probably not getting enough steps in for your day. You want to keep that blood flowing. And, you have a furry best friend to do it with.

Start your day by taking a brisk walk with your dog. You’d be surprised with how much better you feel after getting out for that walk each day. Plus, you’ll see a boost in productivity for yourself and a boost in your dog’s happiness.

Next, figure out a place that limits your distractions. I have an office in the home I own now, but in prior homes I often worked at the dining room table or my bedroom. Believe me here too, I know that’s not always possible either.

For those of you who have school-aged children, you can work while your kids are completing their homework and other school-related tasks.

KEEPING YOUR DOG QUIET FOR CALLS

If your dog is one who likes to ‘yip’ and is needy for attention, you may want to look into puzzles for your dog to do while you’re on calls. Between the physical and mental stimulation, your dog should be feeling plenty fine while you’re on an important phone call with work.

To be safe, noise-canceling headphones are extremely helpful. This way if your dog begins to bark at someone outside or some type of noise, the bark won’t overpower your work call.

TAKE A BREAK OR TWO

This isn’t just for your dog but for you too. Don’t be afraid to take a break. You may have two 15-minute breaks at work and a lunch break. Don’t forget to take breaks at home so you can refresh your mind and not get burnt out.

TRY TO ENJOY THIS TIME

Although this is a frustrating time, take this time to enjoy the opportunity to be at home with your family and your dog(s). There’s been research that states we are more productive with a dog by our side, too. You might shock yourself with how your mind works while you’re home.

Eventually, it will be time to go back to work and you may hope you had cherished this time a bit more.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope all of you are staying happy, healthy, and safe.

Until next time.