This last month has seen many of us swapping our loungewear for our workwear and getting back to work. However there are still some people who are currently floating between working from home and going back to work. Even discussing your work routine already involves an abstract discussion, yet alone trying to actually work as efficiently as before the pandemic. With an ongoing uncertainty and a fight with your current work life balance in the midst, it’s understandable as to why you may be struggling. We will try and find you structure and calm amongst the chaos and hopefully find you a routine to go with it.
It’s perfectly okay to not know what you are doing. Most of us don’t and as soon as you decipher through the upheaval, you will know where to begin.
Nobody’s perfect – again let me reiterate this, nobody is perfect, especially in the middle of the pandemic. With work becoming so fluid that it could slip through your fingers, it’s important to try and grasp onto the things you can. For example, are your hours spread between work and home? Try and prioritise what you want to accomplish at work that day, instead of seeing your work as so many hours. By doing this you will begin to understand what is expected from you by your boss and what you expect from yourself. If you prioritise these tasks, they will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and will encourage you to complete more tasks often. As a result you may naturally be working the hours that you normally would be working, in the office.

Time for your timetable – The amount of calm that comes from a timetable is unbelievable. Don’t know whether your meant to be working on that project or attending a catch up with your boss? Check your timetable. Regardless whether you are working from home or are at work, try to give yourself a timetable to follow regularly. For example you may start work at 8:30. For the first 30 minutes you may decide to focus on answering emails. Then from 9-11 you could give all your attention to that project you’ve been trying to finish at work. This timetable could reflect your normal working day but as it is focusing on the time spent on priorities, not the location, you can take this timetable and use it wherever you are. Please don’t forget to include your breaks! Regardless whether you are at work or are working from home, breaks are vital for your efficiency. If you work all day without a break, you will begin to become tired and will burn yourself out. Within no time you will feel unwell and paranoia of your symptoms may set in. So… every hour or so, schedule in a small break. Whether this is 5 or 10 minutes is up to you, as long as you take your break. As a result your mental health will stay in tact for another productive day at work.
Prioritising tasks – It might seem like a great idea to discuss something with your boss at home but if you need to show your boss something simultaneously, then make a note and leave it for when you go into work. This especially works when you’re working between work and home. The amount of times it has taken me 20 emails to explain a step by step process that could have been resolved by a 10 minute discussion is beyond me. So please, if you think it will be quicker to complete a certain task at work (photocopying for example) then please, make a note and ask permission to go to work to complete that said task.

Make time for yourself – This may seem simple but it is one of the best ways to keep yourself motivated and ready for the day. This could be painting your nails, going to the gym or walking your dog. By making time for yourself, you will be giving yourself a break and will be allowing yourself to relax and recuperate after a day at work. Many of us had disrupted sleep whilst in lockdown, so it may be that you have an early night and read a book before bed. Whatever you do is up to you but make sure you schedule in your ‘me time’.
By organising your time more efficiently you will begin to find a sense of calm within your working day and begin to enjoy your time when you’re not at work.