Work from home

I was always a fan of the notion of working from home. For me personally, it's because, without the distractions of a busy office shared with many other individuals, I can concentrate better. Unfortunately, in all companies, the possibility of working from home is not available; however, this current crisis has shown that many can still do their job, and even work better from home.

Under any circumstances, I would prefer working from home, but it is not an easy feat, especially in these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have to manage their work duties with many parents, not only homeschooling their children, which is a full-time job of their own, but also keeping the whole family safe, both physically and mentally, for weeks at all times of the day, every day of the week.

My main focus may be on the work part; but I agree that some, if not all, of the points I make here for being optimistic, efficient, and linked when working from home also relate, while we have to, to the other aspects of doing something from home.

For many of us, especially here in the Philippines and similar places where traffic and commuting are major problems, not having to spend hours every day on transportation is something we all have to enjoy while we can. It is easier to spend the time saved on so many other more enjoyable things; sleeping will be top of the list. I mean, the pressures of daily modern life typically rob us of sleep; one more hour of sleep every day will surely be a healthy choice to make if we can. I started with sleep because we need to be very careful with our discipline, keeping a well-structured day routine, if we want to remain safe, efficient, and sane.

Visualize

We will find ourselves in total and complete turmoil if we do not have a simple overall picture of all that needs to be done for family, home, and work. We need to map all roles, split each one into specific tasks, with a timetable and realistic deadlines, ideally. We need to begin with a monthly plan that is then split into a weekly plan that ultimately leads to a regular to-do list.

Remember to be realistic; don't get too optimistic, and end up feeling depressed, which in these already stressful situations can easily happen. Make sure your plans have time for everything; not only chores and jobs, but also enjoyable time for family and friends, in person or virtually for those who are not in the same home. To rest, relax, or do something you enjoy doing on your own to clear your mind and raise your morale, you will also need time for yourself.

Set the scene

It will help you to set specific areas for specific roles, as you have to serve various roles within the same room, your home. If these areas could be secluded, it would be helpful; preferably, separate rooms with doors that can be shut during "office" or "class" hours. If not, as is the case with most individuals, for both location and time, you will have to negotiate and compromise with your family members on virtual limitations that need to be respected for everyone to get their job done. Needless to say, you need to find yourself an appropriate chair when you set up your office space; you're going to spend hours in it and you need it to help you stay relaxed and centered.

Set the mood

You need to get yourself in the mood for whatever you do, just as you need to maintain a schedule for sleeping hours and good habits, such as meals and exercise. You need to get ready for your work time, not formally, of course, but in something not too casual for work. Get ready for work once you're dressed, just as you would when you go to the office. Of course, you do not need to simulate a half-hour trip, but you can pick up a coffee, go to your "office" and close the door, although a virtual one.

Your family needs to know that you are at work; they are not supposed to walk around your "office" or make noises. To keep noise disruption to a minimum, it may be necessary/useful to use headsets. It is also important to keep your office clean, to help you remain centered and clear-headed, as when you are at your usual office. Every hour or a few hours, you will need to take 5-10-minute breaks; just don't use them to wander off into other territories!

Stay the course

For one cause or the other, there will be bad days; you need to keep yourself from caving in and giving up. Note, you're not on holiday; your discipline needs to be upheld, or otherwise you'll find yourself slipping into a pit of laziness, chaos, anger, and depression. Similarly, the fact that you are working from home does not mean that you fail to sign off, move out of your office for family and/or personal time, in both senses of the word, and do not go back until it is office time again.

Stay connected

It will also help you to be away from the workplace, not only to concentrate more on working away from office distractions, but also to clear your mind of lots of noise and tension. This may help rekindle your love for what you do and find new meanings in it; you can find yourself having more epiphanies about your job and its purpose. This does not mean, however, that you do not need to remain linked to your peers, especially if you are part of a team.

Again, it is necessary to set up a routine; teams need to settle on a schedule for daily video meetings, not just for follow-ups and task-related problems, like brainstorming and similar activities in the work group, but also to interact and socialize with each other. It is important for teams to retain their team spirit, agree on their work goals, and prepare together to continue to perform effectively, albeit remotely.

Last advice

To take it easy and find the silver lining will be my last piece of advice. These are hard times for everyone; there is a great deal of confusion, anxiety, and strain. The inevitability of getting these feelings must be acknowledged by all of us, but we must not let them overtake us. In what is happening, we need to look for meaning and learn from it; we need to contemplate and pursue wisdom that will help us move forward, as citizens, as cultures, as nations, and as one world that is just that, one.