The last 18 months have been a test of resilience for individuals and organisations. Our work culture has changed more in the past 1. 5 years than it has in the last decade. Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings have become the norm, and building teams across boundaries seems almost effortless now. I’m sure most people had a tough time, with full family home at all times, working from home isn’t easy for everyone. One had to rework routines, carefully balance chores with work and stay positive in a very unusual and uncertain time. Now, as things return to a new normal and hybrid work routines emerge, here are a few lessons we can take from the work from home episode of our lives to the office.
Following a routine
Whether it is work from home or office, creating a routine and sticking to it is very important for productivity and overall wellbeing. Going to office should not mean losing out on time to exercise or on quality time with family. Creating a meaningful routine is the only way to maintain control over your day and not letting external factors dictate it. Spend time writing down what an ideal day should look like. What has worked for me is:
Declutter your workspace, keep it clean
Decluttering office spaces is as important as maintaining clean homes and home offices. I’m a firm believer that one’s physical space is a clear representation of their state of mind. Decluttering spaces will help decluttering the mind too. I follow a minimalist lifestyle for this very reason. To truly increase productivity, one needs to focus on decluttering all four spaces—physical, mental, emotional and digital. The more the friction in these spaces, the lesser the chances of being productive.
Prioritise and focus on just one big task a day
Prioritise tasks like you did at home. Don’t try to multitask. Instead, focus on one big task a day that has huge value. Categorise and prioritise tasks into three baskets—non-productive, productive, and high-impact productive tasks—and pick what’s most critical on that day. I recommend working in 90 mins to two-hour chunks with zero distractions, taking a break and then again getting back to it. Distractions such as social media and phone calls affect one’s time and focus tremendously. A slight distraction in your working zone can set you back by a minimum of 20 minutes. And like I always say: Time is not your most valuable asset, it is focus.
Eat right
As we’ve spent more time at home, many of us have re-discovered the joy of fresh home food. Now as one prepares to go back to office, don’t let yourself slide back into old habits of indulging in unhealthy fast food and processed snacks. Plan your meals (and grocery shopping) in advance so you can take nutritious food with you to the office to boost your energy levels and overall wellbeing.
First Published: Oct 28, 2021, 11:53
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