Yes. We all know it started as a response to the pandemic, although many would perhaps continue to do so. The reasons might be different for an organization from that of an individual. For organizations, it’s a means of not just social distancing alone, but rather reducing workspace cost and realigning the workforce for the future. For individuals it’s about flexibility on working times and having the best of both worlds; personal chores amidst office work now becomes more of a possibility.

I’ve heard the complaint that it’s rather difficult to work from home given the disturbances, especially if one has young children; not to mention that barking dog! While this might be true, it transpires or becomes a reality in action only when you are at a meeting. If not, the time to work is your choice again. There is no rule that you got to work from 8 am to 5 pm. In fact for me, early mornings or late nights are to complete usual tasks such as reports and general mails to others, while keeping the daytime for meetings and urgent mails.

If correctly done, you can be more productive and focused. This way, during the daytime one could even take care of home chores, including attending to children and home matters.

Some tips based on my experience, as I have done this quite often over the last 10 -15 years, during my short work-from-home overseas stints.

Key points for a daily work routine

Mindset.  It’s important that you place yourself in a work mindset rather than in a lazed holiday mindset. Wake up in the mornings on the same basis as you would be doing on a normal office day and get on with the routine.  The only difference is that you now have additional time due to no travel involved. You can use this time either to sleep or do your personal work. I do the latter as that way when things are back to normal your biological clock is ready. Besides, time is money. Extra time if invested wisely could enhance the EVT, what I term as economic value of time. (Refer to my YouTube channel video on the time management series if you need to understand this more. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8NQLa8yGn7NRvxQ16fI4vg

Have a separate place /table for your computer /devices and books. This helps you focus and be in a work mindset. Your children could do the same. 

Attire helps. If you are in your PJ’s, your mindset will not change.  Wash and change your clothes (not office attire but fresh casuals), thus you are ready to kick start.

Take water breaks and tea breaks but work at a table for at least a couple of hours at a time. 

Remember, the concept is that you have only changed the physical working location. Work has not changed nor should your attitude towards work change. You are expected to be fully available during working hours.

Other activities – (social or casual)

When you have the ability to manage your time better without the stressful travelling of a couple of hours a day, it’s best that this time is made use of to further activities that would develop self and /or others. Remember, time is money. (listen to my video series on YouTube for details on time management).

So, if you have extra time at home, latch onto something interesting. Children can do the same. Options again, from my experience there are hundreds you can select from but make them as useful as possible. (Time is money).

1. Enrol with web-based education. ‘Udemi’ is an example. Take a small course on whatever you like. It can be learning a new language, playing an instrument, or meditating.  These are not very expensive. 
   
2. Complete that personal note/ journal that you always wanted to work on.
   
3. Make that picture album from existing pictures in your hard drive. Don’t we all have thousands of pictures all over, unable to find them when we want to.
   
4. Clean up your emails and inbox, which otherwise usually is cluttered.
   
5. One-hour home lessons on ‘values’ for kids. We hardly spend time on this.  Family games like monopoly could keep the family bond whilst being educative.
   
6. Decluttering techniques for home and office. Fengshui, Vaasthu and other natural sciences and general living principles advocate clutter free homes and lives, for better attraction of positive energy.
   

There are perhaps some clear advises against, in-order to ensure a healthy work/life balance.

The Don’ts

1. Sleeping throughout the day or more than required. Science says a grown-up adult needs no more than 8 hours at most but perhaps a minimum of 6 hours of sleep a day.
2. Online videos/films/TV programs and games. This can become a major impediment.
3. Minimise social media. This could be a killer of time and productivity.
   
   
   

Some snippets on Health

1. Guard against what’s called typical occupational hazards.
   • Have a proper chair. An incorrect posture could create serious health issues.
   • Take a break every now and then thus relieving your eyes and spine alike.
2. Guard against ‘BINGE’ habits. Binge drinking, binge eating.
3. Try to bring some healthy habits. A walk for 30 minutes / a bit of meditation would help.
   

This Einstein quote is a truly inspirational one. Many of us have not seen what happens during the daytime at home. There is a pattern.  Don’t judge your spouse for not being able to do what you do. That’s not how it works, just like how you might not do household chores or his/her profession that well either. Understand this before trying to correct home folks. This would help develop a better understanding of one another.

Life is about collaborating better for greater happiness of all. Go for it.

Have fun and work smart!