Managing Work & Home during lockdown times

Off late there is lots of discussion happening around this topic and I wanted to share few thoughts which came across. But if you ask me will this trend continue even after the pandemic ceases, I would say "yes" this would continue but will have lots of questions following it up. Lots of efforts have been put into place to ensure business continuity despite the difficult situation which has left us with inability to be physically present at office spaces.

However, let's try to explore some answers:

• Time has come to remember the old days, where there was a board hanging outside an office shows "IN" & "OUT". I think it's time to rename those as "AT WORK" (AW) & "AT HOME" (AH)
• Designing rituals just like the way we do when we work at office will help a lot.
• Log-In & Log-Off at same times every day can make you feel better
• While operating with teams across geographies following an 8's rule (8H of Work, 8H of Self & 8H of Sleep) should help
• Block your outlook calendars for dedicated learning times and this will become a habit. Upskilling is equally important.
• Have designated time intervals for even small things like breaking out for a cup of tea or lunch or dinner
• Replace those Watercooler chats with Kitchen / Living room chats with your family. They completely deserve your attention, who knows how long they have been waiting for such moments
• Schedule a calendar with "FREE30Mins" just for your office mates and catch up over a conference video call for coffee talks
• "ME TIME" is so important to unlock "Self".
• Be it simple ones like finishing a CROSSWORD/ SUDOKO puzzle, listening to your favorite songs on the terrace, catching up with drawing /painting skills etc.,
• Spending time to learn that new skill / talent which you wanted to do from your childhood.
• Go for that refreshing small walk, and can give a try at gardening if you have small spaces at home
• Watching those old movies again which you loved during your school/college days
• Catch up with kids at home with those childhood games we have played
• Reading is often so Refreshing.
• Often times when I interact with many successful people, I have these questions of how they manage to talk so fluently about any topic you interact. Then I get to know their secret sauce - READ, READ, READ.
• There comes the realization-  how many of us have read all those subjects in school only for examination purpose. Here is that awesome opportunity to pick up something to read. Be it an article, old newspaper, that old school book, content on media anything you feel like reading.
• We should also remember that we have those generations ahead of us who have managed to survive without these digital gadgets and technology. They were far away from digital disruption and might have lots of memories and interesting stories to share.
• It's ok to show "AWAY" on your Skype status and that's totally understandable. Take a digital break at regular intervals, possibly weekends.

We are yet to witness another dimension of work from home. Yes, as days go on and when there is relaxation on lockdown guidelines, people movement will resume back to normal slowly and steadily. We will have access to all those weekend gateways, holiday sightseeing and many of such which are currently restricted. There will also be face to face interaction. When that happens how is the digital workforce going to make another adjustment with the new NORMAL.  We have to wait and see if all the restrictions now later become a disruption. How are we going to access the new NORMAL resources. Is that going to help us become more productive or not. I think there will be lot many questions which time will have an answer sooner or later.