The New 9 to 5

It's been 2 months now and most of us have settled into working from home. For some, this is probably their first time working from home.

I've been working from home since 2008 off and on in my previous roles and i did enjoy it. I do love going in to work but i also love the idea of being able to sit back and do my work with minimal distractions when i'm home. It surely helps when i need to power through emails or work on a presentation which requires more focus.

Here are a few things that i do which can help us make the best of our current situation.

Get into a routine. It's important to ensure we still practice the routine of how a work day is or at least close.

Dress up! Yes you read that right. It's very important to get out of that sweatpants or pj's and put on comfy casual clothes to create a more focused environment. Of course, it's easier to be in pj's all day. But to be more focused and productive, simple casual clothes does the trick. I've personally opted for a more casual look at home compared to what i would usually wear to work. Studies have shown how by just switching to more presentable outfit, it can make your day more productive at home. This also helps to avoid feeling like you're stuck at home all day. This surely works for me.

Environment is key! Creating a proper workspace during this time is as important as dressing up a little. Some of us don't have the luxury of space and probably didn't account for a home office. Who knew this would happen? But we need to make the best of what we have :) All you need is a comfortable space with minimal access to distraction. Some companies are even offering allowance to get office supply or furniture which is great. I'm fortunate to have a small workspace which i use when i work from home.

My 9 to 5 starts with a to-do list. I write a list of tasks i'm planning to focus on that day. With that, i'm setting my expectations. And, to be realistic, we are not a 100% focused as we are at work which is why i have lowered my expectations of wanting to get a lot done in a day. Most things take twice as long to get done given that we can't walk over to someone's desk. We now rely on phone calls, Skype, teams, or any mode of communication which takes a longer time. I also have my water bottle or a cup of tea with me. This is to avoid going to the kitchen as often. It's an ongoing battle i struggle with daily. But i'm getting better at self control :D But if you stick to regular breaks, you'll be fine. I also have my lunch at the dining table not at my desk. On days when the weather is nice, i sit out and enjoy some fresh air while having my lunch. This is to avoid trying to work and eat at the same time. After lunch, i get back to work as usual till about late afternoon before indulging in a cup of tea.

Boost your energy level by including a workout session at home. Given the current situation, not being able to workout in a gym, that didn't stop me from working out. Most gyms have gone virtual! Try subscribing to those or there are even free sessions online.

Here's a perfect home workout to get you through your iso-slum! Try this full body killer circuit to get your blood pumping and muscles burning. Requiring only a chair, this workout is for everyone, anywhere to complete anytime! ~ Courtesy of my PT Cecilia Airth

I’ve even started having friends dial in and we work out together virtually. This is a great way to motivate one another. I workout in the morning every alternate day and it has kept me feeling very energized and ready to start the day.

End of the day, it comes down to self-discipline. Its so important to ensure we stick to a routine and practice good eating habits.The combination of dressing up, having a routine and squeezing in some exercise has made my working from home experience enjoyable and productive. Hopefully this helps you too!

If you have any tips to get through this challenging time together please share it in the comments below.

About the author

Malini Johnson is the founder and content creator.

What started as a hobby when she was younger turned into a side hustle.

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