Social distancing is vital right now to rein in COVID-19. However, it doesn’t automatically have to mean unnerving isolation or loneliness. Experts worldwide are weighing in on how you can stay purposeful, focused, and connected as you work from home. Here’s the gist of it.
Finetune Your Use Of Technology
The internet and smartphones seem to have been invented for a time like this. This is also the right time to develop responsible digital habits and ditch the mindless scrolling we often indulge in.
Even in this time of social isolation, talk to family, friends and team-mates via a screen. Use online trackers for projects and have video conferences with your colleagues to stay connected and maintain a collective sense of purpose. Make schedules for team time and set down timings so they don’t just stretch on.
Strengthen Your Virtual Tribe
Continue your real-life activities using the internet, to keep up the camaraderie as much as possible. You can have “team lunches” or synchronize coffee breaks over video chat. You can warmly greet your colleagues’ family and pets before or after a virtual meeting.
Circulate positive messages and continue to share knowledge, ideas, and those “high-fives” just as you would in an office environment.
Discuss Your Stressors
People in certain job categories can comfortably toggle between office and work-from-home situations. For others, working from home is a steep learning curve, besides the many myriad distractions at home. If you are struggling, seek pointers from peers for whom working from home is the norm. Share them with colleagues who are similarly challenged.
Exercise Your Mind And Body
The right use of technology also means knowing when to turn it off. Use this downtime to not only gain good tech skills and habits, but also to disconnect during non-working hours.
Practice being in the moment with your family, learn a new skill, or simply doodle or scribble in your journal. Set a specific time for exercise and join an online yoga or zumba class if you need the company. Meditate if you get the chance. These will all sharpen your focus when you sit down to work.
