Sharing A Small Space While You Work From Home: 3 Ways To Maintain Your Performance And Your Sanity

If you have a giant home office, no distractions and an ideal ergonomic set up, this article is not for you. On the other hand, if you’re like the vast majority of people working from home in a too-small space with too many people, keep reading.

Working from home has plenty of pros—wearing your fuzzy slippers and spending quality time with your pooch are among them. But big challenges can arise from small spaces when you don’t have adequate elbow room to get your work done effectively.

How can you survive with your performance and sanity intact? Consider your mindset, your communication and some basic survival skills.

Mindset

To be successful working in a small space (think: two full-time working professionals in 900 square feet, or a family with working adults and children in 1100 square feet), you’ll want to start with your mindset. Chances are you’ve spent time on vacation in a small hotel room with your family, but when you’re trying to juggle the pressures of work and maintain brilliant performance, it’s nothing like relaxing in the tropics.

Empathy. One of the most important elements of mindset is empathy. Consider what your roommate or family member is going through and appreciate the pressure they are under. Demonstrate cognitive and emotional empathy, imagining what they must be thinking and feeling. When you embrace empathy, you are likely to feel more compassion and extend more forgiveness—and this relieves the relationship pressure which can build in such a small space.

Flexibility. You’ll need to adapt from day-to-day and perhaps even from hour-to-hour. Trade rooms depending on who needs the more professional background for their on-camera meeting and adjust your lunch timing if you’re planning to use the noisy juicer while your housemate is giving a presentation. Willingness to be personally agile will go a long way toward maintaining a positive relationship and giving you what you need to deliver your best work performance—no matter what your circumstances.

Perfection—not. In addition, give up your need for perfection. Realize your working conditions won’t be ideal and chalk it up to the compromises you’ve had to make in 2020. If there’s a bit of noise interfering with your meeting or if your background isn’t as pristine as you’d like, know your co-workers probably won’t notice or may be having similar challenges themselves. Strive for professionalism, but don’t obsess.

Methods

In surviving and thriving while working in a small space, communication will make or break your effectiveness.

Planning. Communicate a lot, about plenty of details. Plan ahead by comparing calendars at the beginning of the week to anticipate how you’ll use the space and regroup each evening to confirm your approach—knowing work schedules can change regularly. If you have a high-pressure meeting with your CEO, let your roommate know. If you have a win/lose presentation with a client, ensure your partner is aware. If you have a quiet afternoon where you can create more space for your housemate to have the better background, communicate this information as well. By being as open as possible about your work, and its nuances, you’ll help ensure your schedules fit together and accommodate the needs of everyone sharing your space.

Communication. Use non-verbal and virtual communication. If your roommate needs to let the puppy out, exchange texts to coordinate when you’ll mute yourself, so your customer doesn’t hear the commotion. Use hand signals off camera to demonstrate when you’re in a meeting where you must take a leadership role or when you’re in a listen-only mode.

Mechanics

Basics. In addition to the all-important mindset and communication, also pay attention to some basic mechanics to facilitate your experience. If you’re moving between rooms, have a power cord in each spot so it’s easier to make the transition. Make judicious use of your mute button. If your roommate is losing her cool because her new puppy just had an accident, quickly mute the discussion you’re having with your HR colleague. If the only place you can work is the bedroom and your partner works third shift and is sleeping in the background, use a custom video backdrop or the blur feature. Find what works for you—both in terms of technical solutions and basic conveniences. 

Wellbeing. Also pay attention to your wellbeing—in terms of your physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Invest in a great ergonomic chair, move as much as you can, practice mindfulness and get outside for a breath of fresh air.

Most of all, appreciate the bonding that will come from the experience. Sociological research teaches us that going through difficult situations can create especially strong connections—and this is a perfect example. Appreciate the time you have between meetings and laugh about the crazy logistics you’ve had to manage so you could work successfully in a small space. Use your challenges to build your relationship and your resilience.