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A crisis is an ultimate curveball. Throwing us off our game before we even see it coming. Causing uncertainty, anxiety and disrupting our routines. In response to the Covid 19 / Coronavirus pandemic, many businesses in Ireland are allowing their staff to work remotely. Thanks to apps and tools like Zoom and Click-Up, we can stay connected in ways that we could never have imagined even a decade or so ago. However, with the distraction of crisis-driven news, family and kids at home, and anxiety caused by the uncertainty of when things will get back to normal, our motivation can wane.
Working from home means that your normal routine has gone out of the window. Rather than coast through the crisis, set up a new routine for Monday to Friday to help keep you focussed and motivated.
Use what would have been your commute time for family, exercise and staying in touch with friends ad family who are in self-isolation elsewhere.
Set a time for when you will start work every day. Also for what time you will take your lunch break, and what time you will finish work.
As much as possible, fit your regular tasks into your new schedule. Set up calls and video meetings in your calendar to prevent interruptions.
Everyone is motivated by something - be it desire to be the best, ambition to be promoted, a passion for what you do, recognition, money, rewards.
Chances are that you haven’t thought about your bigger picture recently, the why that keeps you motivated. Put some time in your schedule today to work out and write down your motivators, then keep that list to hand. If you are feeling more creative then make yourself a vision board to put up on your home office wall.
Social media is blowing up with Covid 19 updates. WhatsApp groups are hopping with tips, worries and breaking news. The schools are closed so the kids are home and mostly bored. Distractions are everywhere, and they can kill motivation by taking our attention away from reaching our goals.
To minimise distractions, switch off sound alerts for social media and WhatsApp. Let family members know what hours you are working and that you will call them outside of those hours. Drag out every board game, garden game, jigsaw, computer game and anything else you can think of to distract the kids. Set up a separate schedule for them to help you keep on top of their boredom but also remember to feed them at appropriate times. The same goes for pets, let them out into in the garden, if possible give them toys, treats, and catnip to stop the feline ones sitting on your laptop.
For distracting thoughts of all the none work-related things that you need to do, keep a post-it on your home desk to jot down your to-do list for when you are finished work.
Find a place in your house where you can set up your workspace and where it will not be disturbed. Make sure the space is not cluttered or noisy and avoid rooms with heavy foot traffic like the kitchen and living room. If you find it too quiet to work, there are white noise or background noise apps available to help with that.
Dress the part too. You wouldn’t go to the office in your pyjamas so don’t work from home in them either. Yes, your dress code can be a little more relaxed but you still need to feel like you are dressed for work.
If you would like to share your tips for staying motivated during the Covid19 pandemic, comment on our LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook accounts.
#stary motivated #crisis
