Millions of people are now working from home amidst the pandemic. To some, it may be a welcomed concept, but to some, it could pose as a challenge.
Our mantra: Stay home, stay safe, stay sane.
Working from home during a circumstance as scary and strange as this presents its own set of obstacles – home-based learning for children, feeling alone without the presence of co-workers and of course the mountain of distractions at home – yes, bed, we're talking about you.
Here are a few ideas and best practices on how to make the most of it.
When you spend most of your life perfecting a routine - from the time you wake to up, to getting ready and setting off for work, it's hard to lose that and be completely okay. So it's essential to maintain a system for the day. Perhaps you could take the time in the morning that you'd usually spend getting to the office to do a home workout class. Or you could also spend the time cooking a delicious breakfast or smoothie to spend that newfound time.
- Get up, get ready and get dressed.
It may seem simple or a no-brainer, but it is a crucial one. It is tempting to jump out of bed in your pyjamas and start working, but the simple act of changing acts as a signal to your mind that it's time to wake up and get things done. So do yourself a favour, shower, brush your teeth, put on something cute and comfortable, do your makeup (if you do), stick to your usual morning routine. We definitely "felt human again", and it felt good and made us more productive during the day.
- Have a dedicated workspace
Trust us, working from your bed is never a good idea. The distraction is real. Instead, pack your things, move to a desk and create a conducive space for you. Make it a point to do only work activities at that space to trick your mind of only thinking of it as such. This also allows you to switch off after working hours - pack your station, close your laptop and go to another part of your home. The key here is to do whatever you need to do to "leave" your workspace.
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
As humans, we are designed to be social creatures. We enjoy talking to our colleagues, sharing our thoughts, brainstorming, amongst other things. Communication not only ensures that your manager or direct superior knows what you're doing, which inadvertently keeps you sane and happy. Communicating with your team also gives an illusion that you are still part of a social circle, working towards the same goal. In most roles, it helps to voice things out and share ideas to create new ones. There are so many apps and sites that you can use to keep in touch; ours is TEAMS on Microsoft as well as Zoom.
- Be kind to yourself and one another
We are all going through unprecedented times, and it's essential to show a little more compassion to yourself and those around you. Keep your friends and family closer, check in on them because some may be taking things a little harder than others. It's also equally important to treat yourself better - have a bar of chocolate, read a good book (our current reccos), meditate (our favourite), learn to enjoy our new normal, for now.
Give our tips a try and let us know how it goes. Or if you have any tips and hacks that we missed out, do share them with us in the comments section or below or tag us @augustbergofficial on Facebook and Instagram.
