Managing during Quarantine days...

In the time of the new COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are implementing mandatory work-from-home policies. That means lots of us are dealing with an unusual challenge: working from home for the first time, full-time. COVID-19 has led many companies to recommend that employees work from home. For many, remote work is a new reality and one that takes some getting used to.

Even if you’ve done it before, working from home because of corona-virus might feel like a whole new world.

These tips will help you make sure that you’re successful, both at getting your work done and at maintaining your mental well-being:

1. Establishing a work-space:

The first step is to motivate yourself and set up the work-space. 

Try to make your work-space comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and a few decorations. Find an area with good natural lighting if at all possible. Even if you don’t usually spend a lot of time outdoors, losing out on the time you spend outdoors during your commute can start to weigh on you quickly, and it will only happen faster if you don’t have natural light coming in.
Having a dedicated work environment that is separate to the rest of the house is important. If you like to have flexible work space you may even set up an area that allows you stand at your computer by elevating your screens.

    2.Try not to get Distracted:

Distraction is one of the big challenges facing people who work from home—especially people who aren’t used to it. It’s normal to get distracted. But you need to be aware of how much you let yourself get distracted.

You probably already take a few breaks throughout the day at the office, and that’s fine to do at home, too.

Right now, one of the biggest distractions is the news. And if you’re working remotely because of the new corona-virus, checking in on COVID-19 updates is going to be at the front of your mind. It’s good to stay informed.

  3. Set up a time-table:

I suggest setting timers for any breaks you take. You don’t want to get too immersed and forget that you’re at work altogether. If you’re someone who’s susceptible to getting distracted every time you get a news alert, turn your notifications off during the workday, too. The news will still be there after 5 PM. Routine plays a vital role in your life. It’s important to keep your routine to ensure that you can prepare for the day and get into the right mind set. Little things like getting up at the same time (don’t wake up at 8.25 for an 8.30 start), getting ready for the day (no pajamas), making a tea or coffee and of course, a healthy breakfast.

   4. Atmosphere:

Create your optimal working environment. Whether that be a cup of fresh coffee on your desk, a couple of plants for some color, or some relaxing music. Once you get into the zone and set the right environment you may find that you’re even more productive and creative than in an office environment. Especially if you view it as an office and not being at ‘home’

   5. Equipment:

When it comes to working at home, your setup is important and you need to prepare in advance to ensure that you have the tools to get your job done as easily as possible. First things first: you’ll need a laptop or desktop. To ensure you can work uninterrupted, you’ll want to have access to a phone (this could be your mobile) and a reliable internet connection.

    6. Communication:

Not being in close proximity to your colleagues and manager will require you to increase communication among the team and learn how to efficiently communicate online. If you don’t have systems in place already, look at phone calls and/or texts, online messaging, emails, and video conferencing to keep communication flowing. Your team may also like to set regular catch-ups to ensure that you all still remain accountable and in the loop throughout the week.

  7. Collaborate:

While it may feel kinda boring being at home 24/7, there are a number of apps that can help you to communicate across multiple locations and assist with collaborative tasks. Here are some apps you may like to check out!

Some of the apps to bring your communications into one platform including instant messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and emails. 

MS teams is a great option for instant messaging, video conferencing, screen sharing, and phone services.

Another great collaboration tool is MS Office. This service allows you to create documents, share them with the team and edit them at the same time to prevent sending documents backwards and forwards.