By Gabriella Murphy

Adjusting to working from home has been hard for everyone, but especially for women living with a husband, kids, and in many cases, extended family. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the world, you may find yourself in a work from home situation.

With the right effort, you can stay productive while taking care of yourself and your loved ones. So, let us delve deep into the 'simple yet useful' nuances to help you handle better while working from home without wasting much time.

1. Start the day with a to-do list

I think this is a great way to start the day no matter where you work. The first thing I do when I start my day is write up a to-do list (physically, on a piece of paper) of everything I know I need to get done before the day’s over. It’s a great way to keep yourself on track throughout the day. It’s also better to have your goals laid out plainly in front of you rather than blindly trying to tackle everything and thinking after every task, “hmm what should I be working on now?” The to-do list cuts out that guess time. There’s also nothing quite as satisfying as crossing off an item on your list.

2. Set a timer

If you have a particularly stacked list, and you don’t have a full eight hours to dedicate to everything you need to get done, efficiency is key. Before you get started, calculate how much time you should be spending on each task to get everything done

for the day. Then when you begin, actually set a timer. Don’t just watch the clock – there’s something about a timer counting down that inspires us to work harder and faster.

3. Reward yourself in little ways

I especially love to get up and move around during the day, so whether I’m working from home or in the office I like to “reward” myself with little walks between tasks. You can go on a walk between assignments like me, or you could reward yourself with a cold glass of lemon water or a healthy snack; you could light a candle, or open a window – try and get creative!

4. Delegate using teamwork

Our labs are second families. We’ve cultivated a team of students and postdoctoral professionals that we trust to get things done. The time and energy spent team building are exactly for occasions like these. Enlist your team to help with tasks you would normally do, but can’t because you have a preschool ZOOM sing-a-long or marathon reading session. Learning to write manuscripts and grants is a skill your team will need to hone and there’s no time like the present.

5. Create an eating plan

Plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time, such as at the beginning of the week or workday. This prevents you from working to the point of hunger and then scrambling to decide what to eat. You should also avoid eating at your workstation.

Choose foods to boost memory, concentration, and alertness, such as pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and eggs. Limit your intake of refined carbs, processed foods, and sugary drinks.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FASHION?

COMMENT OR TAKE OUR PAGE READER SURVEY

OR OUR

CIRCULAR FASHION SURVEY

Featured