Breaking Down the Circuit Breaker: 4 essential tips for productive working from home

Written by Jovan Lee

As we all should know by now, the circuit breaker, which enforces safe-distancing measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, will be effective from 7 April till 4 May. For those who have the opportunity, this means working from home for close to a month or more, realistically speaking. 

Working from home is comfortable, and could also be very productive if you ensured the right measures are put in place to keep you in tip-top working condition. If you’re able to work from home, read on to find out how you can shake things up and be an efficient work-from-homer. Here are some tips for being productive while you work from the comfort of your home. 

Get dressed for work

You won’t have to dress up as formally as you usually would when heading off to a usual day of work, but staying in your pajamas on a work day won’t do you any good. 

Getting dressed to start off your work day will put you in the right mood and boost your productivity. Simply putting on a clean shirt or combing your hair can wake you up and make you feel ready to get things done. 

Taking care of yourself and managing your appearance also goes a long way in staying fresh throughout the day and more importantly, throughout this circuit breaker. Ensure good personal hygiene to feel fresh, clean, and ready to combat this virus and your work.

You know what they say - look good, feel good, work good. 

Establish a workstation

If your current workstation is your bed, get out of it, grab a chair, plop yourself next to a desk and ta-da! You have a new workstation designed for ultimate productivity! 

Assigning a workstation can greatly improve your productivity and concentration levels while you are working. The first thing you’ll notice is that you’ll be ready to work when you’re sitting at your work desk. Your mind automatically acknowledges that works need to be done while you are at your workstation and allows you to shift into work mode more easily.

Once you’ve established a spot to work at, you can turn into a mini office space by ensuring that all your work materials are nearby. Keep your workspace organized and you can even place handy beverages or snacks to keep yourself nourished and engaged.

An important tip to remember when you’re choosing a workstation is to ensure that where you work isn’t where you’ll usually chill or spend leisure time. Set up a table in the kitchen if you need to get away from the television or the comfy bed. 

Socialize with technology

Shifting from the office to working from home cuts out much of the social interaction between you and your colleagues. But with technology, there is no reason why we cannot socialize with one another and catch up on our daily lives amidst the circuit breaker.

Video teleconferencing is one way to keep in touch with your peers. Actively participate in conversations were possible to ensure that you don’t lose touch with the outside world. It’s also beneficial for your mental health to socialize with colleagues from time to time. 

Some of the things you could do are to check in with your colleagues to hear how they are approaching the circuit breaker and what measures are they taking to unwind and relax while staying safe. A great Netflix recommendation is just a video call away, so don’t shy away from communicating with your colleagues, embrace it and make it a part of your routine.

Find ways to work and unwind at home

Being productive doesn’t mean you can’t relax or take part in leisure activities. Being productive means you’ll have more time to unwind. It’s important to ensure that you spend your time wisely and achieve your daily work goals - that means working when it’s time to work and where you’re supposed to work.

Feeling like you’re ready to work plays a big part in being productive and getting the job done. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so make sure that you’re able to unwind while you’re home and remember to take breaks when necessary!

Let’s continue to stay home and stay safe during this circuit breaker while chugging along with our jobs. We can defeat COVID together!

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