The New Normal - Work From Home
Although it isn’t a new normal for me because I work from home for many years, but I know what it means and how it feels like when I heard, “It’s so difficult to work from home, with all the temptations (TV, the bed, the fridge), hard to concentrate when kids are around, hard to keep up with a routine that works and so on.”
I know because I also went through a deep learning curve and I had wasted many of my younger years. No...no…..no…., Actually I take that back, the wasted years are my valuables, they became my teaching partner. As they say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Not saying my wasted years were trash in the literal sense, but the story behind what I wish I could have done better or differently is what I believe is another man’s treasure.
Let’s dive in:
How to create a home office that works?
How to resist temptations?
How to manage productivity working at home?
How to have a work and home balance?
In my mini-series of “Build Your Home Office with Strengths”, I will share how it is not only possible but mighty good for our wellbeing when we are able to work in a space that sparks creativity and productivity.
In my short time-lapse video, you can see how I set up my table and the surrounding of my work space. Let’s unpack each one:
A routine with a doable and realistic schedule set the tone of our day. The successful productivity rate depends largely on our clarity and focus of our tasks.
Setting an intention for our day is when we make a pact or agreement with our minds that “I am holding myself accountable for today’s achievement.”
Find what works for you to keep you positive and grounded, that helps us to build our troops ready for unexpected challenges throughout the day.
Walk our talk, do what we put down in ink, think what we believe in, breath in what soothes our mind, body and soul. Balance and center ourselves are key to our productivity - quality vs. quantity.
Let’s get into the real time, the real story as I share how I set up my day today:
My to do list is my ‘bible’, it guides me throughout the day, it keeps me on track and boosts my positivity as I cross out each completed task. A day like today, a realistic and clear list of tasks is extremely crucial because I have very tight deadlines to meet.
I was already feeling pressed when I woke up this morning knowing that my son, Xavier has a half day school and that means my work day will be partly interrupted. To manage my stress, I set my intention for today by writing down my mantra and I have to be bold, to think big, to believe I have all the power.
“I can move mountains, rivers and trees. I can determine what my world is like.”
To get through the day, I know I will face some obstacles naturally, so to help myself from being side-tracked by negative thoughts, I took out the 5 character strengths that I know will help me to stay positive and hopeful. They are: forgiveness, bravery, love, creativity and zest. By putting them on my desk encourages and reminds me to practice and embed them in my day’s work.
I am conscious to write down what I can actually accomplish today instead of what I wish I could accomplish. Work will never end so no point to fool myself with the mentality that I will get everything done so I don’t have to do it tomorrow. Instead I tell myself that by sorting out the deadlines and putting them in priority helps me to stay grounded and realistic. What I believe I can finish today is what I will recite in my head to keep myself on target and stay laser focused.
What also keeps me going and boosts my productivity level is to have my children close to my chest….having the photo frame on my desk is as close as I can have them with me until we meet again. My children are my anchors and my inspirations.
Well, here you go, I have shared what my day is going to look like, what about yours?
Do you have your to do list today?
Write a mantra and look at it throughout the day
Out of the 24 VIA Character Strengths, pick 3 that you think can help you to increase your work productivity.
Take a deep breath and tell yourself that a day at a time, a step at a time. Tomorrow’s work will be there for you so work on today’s work first.
What keeps you motivated and boosts your productivity level?
I will talk about how meditation helps me throughout the day, to keep my mental and spiritual wellness in check.
Like and share if you find this post helpful to you and your friends.
#productivity
#positivity
#workfromhome
#mantra
