Feeling at home, Working from home
Initially, we thought three months, then six. Now, nobody knows - could working from home become the permanent new normal? Is this a good or bad thing? It varies among individuals, but either way, the traditional idea of the workday has been turned upside-down, and 2021 is the year where we will have to reinvent ourselves to stay sane and productive.
A misconception about working from home is that it’s easy, effortless, and enjoyable. While there are benefits around convenience, negative side-effects also exist which one only realises after extended periods. These include, paradoxically, longer hours, the unavoidable merging of personal and work time, and an eventual disconnect with colleagues - some even collaboration technologies such as Zoom might not be able to counter.
By this time, we have all developed techniques on how to deal with these new-age problems - but the truth is, just as the industrial revolution thrust upon us the idea of jobs, technology, and this pandemic has also suddenly made millions around the world telecommuters, no longer the rare few, but now the majority. Here are some of my tips, simple as they are, but could make your life better, if not more tolerable.
- Book time for yourself - The Outlook calendar runs our lives. This most hated of tools tells us what to do, who to talk to, and (previously) where to be. But like any power, it can be used for both good as well as evil. So book time with yourself - whether is for a cup of coffee, clearing emails, or even lunch (see point #2), having some time for yourself (instead of being constantly on calls) can help you clear your inbox, head, and bowels, albeit not simultaneously.
- Step out for lunch - In countries where it is possible, try heading out for food during lunchtime. Being holed up within your four walls, or worst, stuck at your desk, is bad for your mental health and physical well-being. Grabbing a bite outside lets you get some fresh air, exercise your limbs, and possibly encounter other humans. Even better, get some colleagues together and make it a team-lunch! Remember how it used to be?
- Bump into colleagues, online - Remember the times when you would stop to chat with someone in the corridor, pantry or washroom? Cyberspace hasn’t an equivalent, so we no longer have such accidental encounters. Whether you like it or not, these were a big part of office social life and often resulted in anything from friendships to project collaborations. Now, organise social video calls amongst office buddies (Zoom isn’t just for work!) - bring a smile with your latte and take the time to catch up like good old times!
