I thought it would be most appropriate to revisit my work from home aka staying productive while working from home strategy, now that most places are undergoing lockdown 3.0. A strategy that I implemented earlier last year when the pandemic hit and I stuck to for most part. But, a year later it was time to revisit/refresh my strategies and in turn maybe help you renew yours.
Some metro cities in India, London, Melbourne are some of the places where the lockdown has already been imposed. US is still on the edge but with more folks getting vaccinated, there is some respite.
Anyways, coming back to the WFH strategy, see below for mine.
dedicated space and set up
First on our list last year was to have a proper workspace for everyone- bed and couch were out of bound. We dedicated a well-lit space to each one, in my case it was my walk-in-closet. Ideally, a desk placed with the chair back facing the window works the best. A well lit space versus a dark dimly-lit space, keeps you energized and eyes will get less tired.
I would highly encourage investing an office chair that is comfortable, swivels and has a height adjustment feature. In conjunction to the aforementioned have the essentials like a note pad, pens, markers, paper-clips, tapes, printer and all that you would generally have on your office desk. Keep the desk clutter free, even if you have to sort out mails and papers everyday. Have respective binders and folders for your paperwork, notes and mails, label them and keep them at eye level for easy access and reference when needed.
Wifi upgrade
downloading...... downloading - we all have been there seen that! Nothing can be more frustrating than a Wifi with a turtle-speed. Especially now when all the devices were hooked onto the internet at the same time, Internet speed is of utmost importance.
The kind of field I am in, I need to stream videos and download large image files all the time. I hated to see the ' buffering ' word pop up on my screen while downloading or attending zoom calls. We finally upgraded to Verizon Fios last month. Our internet speed has hiked up fourfold and there is no problem connecting all devices simultaneously.
GetTING out of sweats/loungewear
Sounds a bit too much especially when comfort is on everyone's mind these days. But, trying to be extra comfortable and loungy can make you less productive. I made a strict rule in the house day 1 of pandemic that we were not going to lounge around in sweats during weekdays. Weekday are free days, but other days if we are working, we dress up as if going to work.
Since you are already treating your home as your new office, treat your weekday as your work day. Don't be lazy, bathe early, have breakfast and wear work-appropriate clothes. The whole idea is to get you out of your pjs, your overly comfortable clothes. Feel professional, portray professional. You don't have to go overboard, but just your wearing-out clothes that will make you feel good about yourself.
List-making for everything
Making a list has always been my forte- it helps keeping my days organized and productivity on track. I usually don't put too much on my to-do list; just three things in the order of their importance. Having a dedicated journal and apportioning my time accordingly to the three things on the list, more time to the most important.
Funny right...but the timer hack works. As the timer goes off, I transition to the second thing on the list and if there is still some spare time between the second and third thing, I would go back to the first one if unfinished. This way I make sure the three things I set for each working day gets done.
One drawback of working from home in this pandemic has been lack of human social interaction. While Zoom and other such online networking sites have been a saving grace throughout, the power of in-person interaction can not be undermined. It can sometime get to your nerves. Do whatever it takes to feel that social-belongingness.
Call, visit a loved one, chit-chat from distance, exchange food, going out of the way to keep your sanity and productivity is key.
Advice to self and others
We already have a lot going on both physically and mentally- a new routine, a new way of living and a new way of doing everything. This is the time to give yourself all the breathing space and not get worked up. Same for your family, give them space too. We all have had to deal with major uncertainties and angst- so go easy on self!
Don't work like a robot. Take a break, step out for some fresh air, say hi to your neighbors while socially distancing, have a snack, do some mediation. Disconnect from the internet world for a bit if needed. Seek help if you are feeling anxious and lonely. There are so many online resources meant for mentoring you during these hard times. Don't be hard on yourself. It's okay to be not perfect sometimes....
My medium of relaxing and being productive at the same time- going to a friend's condo terrace and taking photos in shorts and shacket.
Get my look
