“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
–Dolly Patron, American singer-songwriter
One often yearns to work from home. The hustle-bustle at the office, traffic woes, and traveling incessantly results in fatigue. By the time a working professional reaches home, exhaustion takes over. They are unable to spend quality time with family.
Nothing is impossible if you want to do it. Being ‘SENSIBLE’ helps you accomplish this.
S – Set a specific workspace
E – Embrace imperfections
N – Never get stressed
S – Stick to a schedule
I – Important to ‘dress’
B – Breaks matter
L – Learn to disconnect
E – Eat, exercise, enjoy
S – Set a specific workspace
Assign a separate place from where you can work every day. It helps you maintain focus and minimizes distractions. Sitting all over the household makes your mind go astray. Laziness and lethargy kick in.
E – Embrace imperfections
You are not the only one at home. This space belongs to your spouse, kids, and pets as well. They might suddenly venture into your ‘workspace’. At times, you might have to attend calls amidst noises and chaos. Embrace these imperfections and learn to work in spite of these disturbances.
N – Never get stressed
Things don’t always happen according to plans. You may face Internet issues during an important meeting. There might be some emergency at home. Getting stressed does not help in such situations. Take a chill pill and think with a calm mind. You will be able to resolve issues more efficiently.
S – Stick to a schedule
Just like you have a specified workspace at home, sticking to a schedule is also equally vital. Fix your working hours and do not work overtime on a daily basis. The whole point of working from home takes a beating. Start work on time and end it without any delay.
I – Important to ‘dress’
What you wear matters. Don’t work in your pajamas or casuals. Make sure to put on your formal or work clothes. It helps you get into work-mode both physically and mentally.
B – Breaks matter
Whether at home or office, do not forget to take regular breaks. It acts as energy boosters and recharges your mind and body. Go for a walk, have refreshments or spend some time with family before restarting work. It will help you focus better when you get back to business.
L – Learn to disconnect
Once your day’s work is over, disconnect. Don’t keep going back to your workspace. It will frustrate you and your family. Learn to cut-off from your official duties. Devote the remaining time whole-heartedly to your family. Don’t take them for granted.
E – Eat, exercise, enjoy
There’s the restriction over your movement outdoors. So, exercise at home and follow this regimen without fail. Do not skip meals. Nourishment is important to keep you going all day long. Last, but not least, do not forget to enjoy your day. Socialize, minimize stress, and maximize happiness.
Call it luck or fate, the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted everyone to their household. Working from home is the need of the hour. This trend is fast gaining popularity. However, it’s a catch-22 situation. One realizes how tricky things can get only when they start working from home. Striking a balance between personal and professional life is easier said than done.
