Working From Home: tips to stay positive, motivated and healthy
Leanne Gresswell
Like many of us, the Cleaver Property Management team are currently working from home, to stay as safe as possible during the Covid-19 outbreak. For those who are used to an office atmosphere, we understand that it can be challenging to adapt to remote working, so we've been sharing tips among ourselves to keep each other feeling positive and motivated. But, at Cleaver Property Management we're about community, so it didn't seem right to keep it to ourselves. With the help of Bright HR
and Flamingo Writing, we've pulled together some tips and trick that anyone in any role can use.
Oh, and we've thrown in a couple of cute dogs for good measure, of course.
Make Your Bed
Simple, but effective. We can't take credit, though. Admiral William McRaven, author of ‘Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... And Maybe the World’ gave us this one:
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed, will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be able to do the big things right. And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made, that you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”
Get Ready for Work
After all, that's where you're going. And you wouldn't turn up to the office in your PJ's (would you?) As tempting as it might be to roll straight out of bed and onto your workstation, you’ll be surprised at the psychological effect ‘getting ready’ can have on your productivity levels. So, take a shower, get dressed, do everything you would usually do to get ready for work. Enjoy your breakfast and a coffee, whatever it is that gets you ready for the day. Just remember that if your body is still in your PJ’s, your mind will be too.
Set up a Designated Work Space
This will help keep your home and work life separate. Set up a designated workstation that you can walk away from during breaks, at the end of the day and over the weekend. Try and position it somewhere away from distractions and interruptions, and make it a positive space to be. You can do this by decluttering your desk and the area around it, adding some green plants or relaxing scents. Whatever makes you feel calm and focused.
If you're someone who prefers to work with a bit of "buzz" around them, you could simply try putting the radio or some music on. However, if you find this too distracting, there are a whole host of 'white noise' apps out there. Leanne recommended us Coffitivity, which turns your workspace into a virtual coffee shop. No need to download anything, simply follow this link and select your preferred background noise: coffitivity.com.
I’ll have a medium, full fat vanilla latte please barista! Oh, wait…
Stay in a Routine
Very much an extension of the previous two, but it's not just your morning ritual you should stick to. Schedule time for coffee breaks (go and enjoy one in the garden to get some fresh air), and most definitely take a proper lunch break. Move away from your desk, play with your cat/dog, they're loving having you at home all the time! Have a chat to others in your household, make yourself something delicious for lunch and enjoy it. Don't be tempted to use the time to do any chores, you wouldn't be able to do that on a normal work day. This is your time, relax and enjoy it.
Similarly, log off at the end of the day. Don't be tempted to work into the evening, you still need to separate your work life from your home life. The evenings are lighter now, go and enjoy a local evening walk to get some distance (just make sure you're adhering to government guidelines in doing so), or get to doing what you'd usually do when getting home from work. Like making dinner, or relaxing in front of the TV. Simply do your best to treat your working day as if you're in the office - the next tip will help with this, too.
Stay Connected
We're what you might call a "close-knit" team here at Cleaver Property Management, so it's important that we stay connected even when we're not in the office. And we would recommend any other team or business to do the same. We're using Zoom, but there are a whole host of tools at your disposal to stay connected with your colleagues. Such as Slack, Skype or GoToMeeting.
Remember, staying connected is as much about socialising as it is about work. We all log on at 9am each day and say Good Morning on the team chat, just as if we were arriving at the office. We also have a rule that the team chat isn't used for "work chat" (we have other means for this). It's simply a place for us to communicate and keep the friendly office vibe that we all love about working here. We set each other silly tasks to keep spirits up, and offer up an ear to anyone who might be finding the change difficult. Our lovely Magda even starts each day with a positive "quote of the day".
But Disconnect from the Media
The media overloads us with information (and often misinformation) which can cause a great deal of stress and/or anxiety, which isn't good for productivity levels or mental wellbeing. Try not to engage with the constant stream of news. Instead, choose to check in with just one trusted source a day, like your local news or the daily briefing. And remember these key things:
- Covid-19 is a global pandemic, that is a fact.
- It is important to stay informed, but not to overload.
- It is natural to feel drowned in information, but it's important to sieve through the noise.
- Too much information can make us feel anxious, stressed or depressed.
- Not everything you read on the internet is true.
Keep on Moving
Whether or not you're usually a gym buff doesn’t matter on this one, exercise (of any form) is great for re-energising the mind and body. Whether you opt for a local stroll, a spot of desk yoga or an online class (of which there are many available), make sure to schedule some movement into your day. Mental and physical well-being? Sorted.
Embrace the Weekend
It may seem like each day is rolling into one at the moment, but the weekend is still the weekend, so try your best to make the most of it. It may not feel like it, but the possibilities are endless, so embrace your enforced downtime and enjoy taking life a little bit slower. Here are some ideas of how:
- Have an at-home spa day.
- Cook or bake something you have never made before.
- Read a book you never had time for.
- Have a cup of tea or dinner with a friend online.
- Have a movie night with your loved ones (a virtual movie night if you're apart).
- Have a virtual pub session with your friends.
- Take part in an online exercise class.
- Do a jigsaw puzzle.
- Do some gardening, it's Spring after all!
- Or, you know, just enjoy doing nothing. Our darling Mabel here to show you how it's done...
Do you have any other tips for working from home that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them, leave them in the comments section below.
Stay home, stay well and stay positive.
Best wishes,
The Cleaver Property Management Team
From autumn 2025, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House. While many firms are handling this quietly in the background, we believe our clients deserve full visibility into what’s happening and how we’re preparing on their behalf. So, What’s Changing? This isn’t just another form to complete. The law is designed to: Stop people from using companies for criminal or dishonest purposes Improve transparency in the UK’s corporate system Ensure every director is personally identifiable and accountable If you don’t verify your identity, you may: Be barred from acting as a director Prevent your company from filing legal documents Be subject to fines or disqualification How Are We Supporting Our Clients? We’ve rolled out a full, structured support plan to help directors meet the new requirements. Here’s what Cleaver are doing : 1. Notifying Directors Early - We’ve contacted all directors across the companies we manage using tailored letters and templates, clearly explaining what’s required and when. 2. Offering Step-by-Step Guidance - We’ve created easy-to-understand materials to help directors: Choose how to verify (online, Post Office, or via an ACSP) Understand the process Get support if they’re unsure where to start 3. Tracking Progress Internally - We maintain a compliance checklist for every company we manage. This allows us to: Track which directors have verified Send timely reminders to those who haven’t Avoid last-minute compliance issues 4. Helping Boards with Removal (If Needed) - If a director refuses to verify and the company’s Articles allow for it, we’ll assist with: Legal guidance Notices and paperwork Filing director removal forms with Companies House 5. Answering Questions Along the Way - We’ve trained our team to answer queries about the new rules and if needed, we’ll help connect you with a solicitor or accountant who can act as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Why Does This Matter? This legislation is a major step forward in protecting companies and the people who run them. We believe in staying ahead of compliance and ensuring our clients feel confident, not confused. By taking this proactive approach, Cleaver Property Management is helping to: Protect directors from penalties Ensure companies stay compliant Promote trust and transparency in the leasehold management sector Do You Need Help? If you’re a director and aren’t sure what to do next, we’re here to help you understand your responsibilities and how to meet them. Email your Cleaver Property Management contact or reach us at info@cleaverpropertymanagement Cleaver Property Management – Supporting Directors. Safeguarding Companies.
A Huge Congratulations to Sally Bell on her latest academic achievement!
A Huge Congratulations to Zoë!
A Huge Congratulations to Ben Parry on his latest academic achievement!
She did it! Cheryl braved the shave and raised £1,100 for Macmillan!
A Huge Congratulations to Tim Linfield on his latest academic achievement!
A Huge Congratulations to Diana Bucataru on her latest academic achievement!
Celebrating Emma Keeley’s Success: Achieving the TPI Level 3 Certificate in Residential Property Management
January 2025 edition of the Berkshire Local publication
Everyone here at Cleaver Property Management Ltd is thrilled to continue supporting Transform Housing & Support this year, we’ve donated a variety of Christmas Goodie Bags for Adults, Teens and Children, brightening the festive season for those who rely on their incredible services. This Christmas, they have launched a Transform Tree, a virtual tree where every donation helps spread kindness and warmth. https://ow.ly/cQYi50UfC2y 1. Choose your star or light on the virtual tree. 2. Donate to purchase your chosen star or light. Transform supports over 1,800 people each year, primarily in Surrey, but also in Wokingham, West Sussex and the London Borough of Sutton - Their purpose is to enable homeless and vulnerable people to live independent and fulfilling lives Together, we can make this festive season a little brighter for those who need it most. Every gift counts! Let’s come together to create a season of giving, love and community spirit!
