With multiple mutated strains of COVID-19 emerging around the world where infection and death rate is on the rise, once again many countries have declared total lock-down as a precaution measure to arrest the situation and curb further infection rate. I would like to share with you 5 ways to remain productive while working from home:
- Create your work space separate from home: Have a corner in the house dedicated to working. Don’t do it wherever you wanted to be. Set aside some space, preferably a room (it doesn’t have to be big) with door to be your workspace. In that way, when you enter it and close the door, you and your family members will know consciously what you’re there to do work.
- Dress like you are going to work: Don’t stay unshaved or not groomed in your pyjamas. Instead, have breakfast, have a shower and get dressed like you normally do when going out to work. Your will behave like you are working instead.
- Plan your work routine & stick to your schedule: You need to keep a more structured daily schedule than usual while working from home. Make sure you have a list of sensible tasks for the day. Get your day started according to schedule and make sure you complete all the tasks planned.
- Set boundaries with those around you: let your family members, especially your kids know and understand your work time and schedule. Make sure the kids and family members know that you are unavailable for playing, chores, etc. during this time. If possible, have pre-cooked food or arrange food delivery for lunch so that you will not need to spare out another hour to prepare meals.
- Know when to stop and space out time to rest: let be honest, you can only work about 5 slots of an hour, with a 20 minute gap in between. If you work more than that or late into the night, you will end up letting work run your life. Set defined times when to work, and sop when it passes.
