Apple Video Gets Real About Working from Home

More than five months after nationwide pandemic-related shutdowns began, tens of millions of Americans are still working from home. And Apple’s “The whole working-from-home thing” video accurately and hilariously captures the specific, sometimes strange challenges that “WFH” brings. Below, we discuss some of these challenges — and reveal how coworking can solve them.

Kids. Just … kids.

Any parents watching “The whole working-from-home thing” can identify with harangued, ever-bathrobe-clad “Dave,” whose kids seem to be in a constant state of battle with each other during his work hours. Whether they’re little and need constant watchfulness lest they stick their fingers in a socket, or they’re old enough to dress themselves and — in theory — complete some of their online-classroom lessons by themselves, kids frequently make the completion of work impossible for adults. 

So instead of attempting to work in their midst, why not spend at least a few days a week at a quiet, impeccably clean, amenity-rich coworking space conveniently located within walking distance of a Metro station? With nine DC and DC-area spots, flexible Metro Offices has what you need. 

Distractions galore

When you’re the only one in your environment trying to do heads-down, quiet work, it can be hard to, well, do that work. We are more productive when we are in the company of others who are working, too, even if we’re not working directly with them, research has shown. 

So if you want to avoid mid-day virtual-shoe try-ons, a la Brian in the Apple video, get yourself into an environment of like-minded individuals. You’ll find that environment at a great coworking spot, such as Metro Offices.

{{cta(‘fa086316-0ce5-459f-a163-562bc1a87c39′,’justifycenter’)}}

Other household members

Kids aren’t the only ones who can distract you when you work from home. With COVID-19-preventing restrictions still in place in many states, people are more likely than in years past to be home during the days — and that means they can keep you from your work. Whether it’s a well-meaning in-law interrupting a call to ask if you’d like lunch or a roommate trying to tell you a funny story when you’re on a deadline, home can be full of people who are not you or your colleagues.  

A too-casual wardrobe 

The, ah, relaxed outfits worn by the Apple video cast may look comfortable, but the fact is, we’re not at our best when we stay in pajamas during daylight hours. Failure to dress for our days can sink self-esteem and make us less productive. Rather than allow yourself to become so sartorially casual that you have to check whether you’re wearing pants at noon, get back into the habit of looking after your appearance. 

One great way to do this is by getting out of the house and going to work again — at a chic coworking space where everyone else has also put on real clothes. 

The illusion of constant availability 

When we work where we live, the line between office and home becomes more easily blurred. Your ‘desk’ is just down the hall — why not answer some emails at 11 p.m.? Your colleagues and boss might start to think similarly if you let them, and Zoom calling or texting you at all hours and on all days. Set healthy boundaries now and make it known that work is to be done during work hours. 

If you go into a workspace, you’re more likely to view work and home as separate and disallow encroachment by the former onto the latter.  

________________

Metro Offices is open! Check out our conveniently located spots. Browse our locations today.

You might also be interested in these articles:

Why and How Large Corporations Use Coworking Spaces

Coworking Space for the Business Traveler: A Look at the Trend

From Coffee Shop to Coworking Space: An Entrepreneur’s Journey

Kathlene Buchanan

As the founder of Metro Offices, she has championed workspace innovation since 1989, inspired by the creativity and drive of their 30,000+ clients. Woman-owned and locally focused, the company tailors its spaces to meet the unique needs of every business.

tags: apple,coworking,work from home