27 March, 2020
Ok, so it’s probably been a couple of weeks that Work From Home (WFH) has been implemented by companies throughout the country. If you are fortunate enough to be able to WFH during this environment of lockdown, then you are probably experiencing some challenges to your work-life balance.
Get in the groove. Establish a set work hour schedule. You may have to factor in flex-time to take care of children’s and the elderly’s needs as they adjust to distance learning and self-isolation. Prepare for work in the morning like you would if you were going into the office. Shower and eat at your “normal” times. During those hours of your prior daily commute, add in some time to energize yourself by reading inspirational messages in social media posts or subscriptions to Ted Talks, and meditation. This should get your day started on a positive note. When it’s time for lunch, honor this time of nourishment for your body and soul. This may be a good time to connect with friends and relatives that are dying for some human contact.
Set up your home office to provide a dedicated work area; don’t set up in your bedroom or you will never be able to clock out for the day. Try as best as you can to duplicate your office environment. If you had multiple monitors, see if you can implement those as it enhances productivity if you have multiple application that you need to see. Buy a computer camera or utilize the one on your laptop to show your face during Zoom meetings. Remember whom you report to. Don’t let your cat become your new boss and rule your life with the additional constant attention that they desire. Provide yourself with enough space to spread out and be organized. I chose the dining room table as my work area. By doing so, I feel like I got promoted to CEO with my larger office that is adorned with china cabinets and windows that provide light and momentary respites from work. This environment energizes me.
Battle the distractions. Turn off that TV in the background that continually loops the same Covid-19 news. Set aside a time of the day to catch up on news updates, and do it outside of your work hours. Personally, I listen to smooth jazz in the background as it energizes me. Spouse, partner, significant other, life mate cleaning the house and vacuuming? What to do? Go on Amazon and order a “GetSmart” Cone of Silence. Basically, you need to try to tune it out as background noise and try to dismiss it in your mind.
If you have some WFH tips that you can provide to enlighten others, go ahead and share by leaving a comment on this blog.
Stay Happy and Healthy!