2nd April 2020 Church News.
However, with the right focus, it can also be turned into a rewarding experience.
Whilst the majority of the global workforce is working from home to minimise the spread of COVID19, we have found by abiding by certain methods, remote working can be a great experience – we just need to get used to it.
Creating a schedule is one of the most important things you can do whilst remote working. If you usually work 9-5, then stick to this whilst you are working from home. Ideally, you need to keep your routine as normal as possible otherwise it can become increasingly difficult to balance work and home life.
When you finish your day, list your actions for the following, so they are ready for you to carry on with – this saves time the next morning and helps you get on to things quicker. Once your day is finished, close your laptop and leave it until work begins again.
Whilst at home it is easy to become sidetracked by the washing up on the side, the hoovering and of course – Netflix. However, Church International strongly recommends you work through your list of actions first, and then you can do anything else guilt-free. Working from home is a big enough change, avoid having pressure.
If you wouldn’t eat it whilst working, don’t eat it now. The temptation you have to keep going to the fridge is more out of boredom than hunger. Right now is the best time to make sure you are eating healthily to keep your immune system at its strongest. Being at home more, you will naturally have less exercise, and if you are eating more you are more likely to gain weight which can have a detrimental effect in other areas of your health.
If you are feeling hungry more frequently, use a lunchbox and put some healthy snacks together the night before so you can keep an eye on what you are eating throughout the day.
Unless it is work-related, stay off! Disable your apps, or even leave your phone away from you on silent. Being at home is distracting enough without being pulled into your social media apps. Work now, play later!
We know it is hard to stay focused when there are so many distractions of life around you, especially if you have a family at home.If you stick to a routine, create lists and follow your own rules you will not only find being at home far more straight forward but the situation you are facing straight easier. Mental health in this situation is also very important, so by having a routine and staying focused this will help to keep you positive.
Playing some music can break up the monotonous tone of working in silence, this is especially ideal if you are used to working in a busy environment. Music can quite often make you feel positive in the lowest of times as it increases endorphins.
By Brian Fitzgerald, Managing Director
