5 things to Learn From WFH Arrangements

5 things to Learn From WFH Arrangements

The pandemic has put to the test the adaptiveness of the work culture all over the world. It has introduced us to different methods of coping - both in our professional and personal lives. And while there are some professions whose work continued as the risks of acquiring the virus stood, there are some jobs that had to be shifted at home in order to fight the possibility of the spread of the virus.?

In an instant, we all seem to be living the same lives - one Work From Home (WFH) day at a time. A lot of us have formulated coping techniques that work for us, while emulating others who seem to keep the negative effects of pandemic at bay.?

Each of us may have some lessons we learned about ourselves in general, but what are some of the most noteworthy lessons we have learned:

Productivity can be practised anywhere

With the WFH setup, one of the biggest concerns many of us had for ourselves is whether or not working from the comforts of our home will affect how productive we are. Many of us were surprised with the kind of exemplary performance we have displayed during the pandemic. Taking into consideration the fact that we were put in a global situation we had zero knowledge about, together with the stress that came from the uncertainty of whether things will go back to how we used to know it, a lot of us did really well in coping with working from home.?

We were on time, we were prompt, we adapted to changes, and we delivered output that was expected of us. For most of us, the format of working from home has proven effective, and that being physically in the office does not directly equate to being more effective and efficient.??

Having a hobby might come in handy

While traveling is now back on the list of things we can do, not everyone of us might be putting visiting other countries as a priority. This then leaves most of us with the question, “What do I do with my free time?” We can spend our free days scrolling through our phone or watching TV - which can be both relaxing and therapeutic for a lot of us - or we can dive into learning new things and acquiring new hobbies.?

A positive effect of learning a hobby is that it lets you rest your mind and puts your focus on something that may help ease tension and release stress. It can be a kind of meditation for many, and a form of self-learning for some. Either way, hobbies serve a good and positive purpose in an individual’s life.

Aside from that, there are no “right and wrong” hobbies. Hobbies give us the freedom to be us, enjoy us, at a time that we are comfortable with.?

You need to draw the line

It may be complicated to separate work from home with the work from home setup, but it is a skill that most of us may have learned and are learning to sharpen. While it is always a good habit to keep on giving 100% of your energy and effort when working, to let go and prioritise ourselves after work is not a crime.?

It became much more challenging to stop ourselves from checking our laptop or work phones after work hours while being on a WFH set-up, but it was an essential as well. Learning when to detach and unplug ourselves has always been crucial for our mental health and having that balance between being an employee and being an individual is a skill.?

It’s okay to not be okay

The pandemic forced us to live with a situation that we knew nothing about. It forced us to listen to news after news of individuals dying of the virus. It robbed us of our freedom, and made a lot of us live lives full of fear of the unknown. With all those plus a lot more, it proved even further that it is okay to not always be okay.

It is okay to say, “I am tired”, or “I am scared”. We do not always need to put up a persona that is strong, that is put together. It is okay and it is human to be confused. Not being able to articulate exactly how we feel all the time is not something that makes us weak, it is an attribute that makes us human.?

You can take a day off and just be at home

With limited activities to do and even more limited places to visit, taking a day off became an idea that not a lot of us entertained - perceiving it as a waste of our annual leave credits with nowhere to go and nothing to do.?

But the pandemic and working from home has proved that taking a day off and staying at home can be as relaxing and as beneficial for our mental health as getting to do outdoor activities and traveling to other countries.?

Reaching out can be for you and people you love

With the pandemic and the WFH setup, many of us utilised meeting platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet and social media platforms to connect and reconnect with people we love, to check up on them, to learn how they are coping, and to just be there for them and make them feel that they are not alone in this.?

We also utilised such platforms to check up on our colleagues and make sure they did not feel alone and lonely.?

The World Health Organization understood the risk of the pandemic to an individual’s mental health and provided means and guidance to those who may need it.?

While more and more employees are now back to reporting to physical offices, there are still loads of us who are going to continue to work from home. There is still lots to learn on how to be effective while working from home. Do visit our website www.jobspivot.com.sg for more articles that you might find helpful!?