Due to the global pandemic, we, like many IT companies, have been continuing our work from home for a while. As someone who has been working from home for about two months and experiencing this for the first time, I will share with you what I do to keep my motivation high. First of all, it is up to each of us as individuals to solve this problem that the whole world is facing. One of the most basic of these duties is not to leave our homes unless it is necessary.
“My sources of motivation: Being part of the solution and taking advantage of the situation.”
Knowing that I am part of the solution by staying home is one of the biggest sources of motivation for me these days. Another is being able to benefit from the advantages of the situation we are in. For me, the biggest advantage of working from home is being able to work more effectively and concentrated. This is because environmental factors are more under control at home compared to the office. In addition, I now have the opportunity to do things that I normally don’t have enough time for, to read the books waiting to be read on my bookshelf, to spend more time improving myself technically, and even to exercise. The source of this extra time is the time that is not spent on the road while commuting to work and the time that is left over since I don’t go out in the evenings. Each of these is actually a reason for me to be a little happier.
“I managed my diminishing motivation by creating routines.”
At first, working remotely was a new experience for me and the high motivation to experience new things made things much easier. However, when I started to take it for granted, my motivation started to decrease. That’s when I realized that I needed to do something to increase my motivation and stabilize it again. The first step I took for this was to create my own daily routine. I think creating daily routines helps us feel more adapted and relieves us of anxiety. What are my routines?
- Start the day and private work area
The first routine I have created is the beginning of the day. I don’t get up and sit in front of my computer as soon as I get out of bed. I move around the house a little, go out to the balcony and get some fresh air. Even a little movement helps me wake up and the fresh air helps me start the day fresh. I change my clothes. Of course, the clothes I choose are more comfortable than the ones I wear to the office. In fact, I am so used to it that I felt strange when I wore jeans instead of sweatpants for a change. Also, I created my own workspace. I don’t work in different parts of the house all the time. Although we are a company that normally adopts flexible working hours, I decided to reduce this flexibility a little during this process. I start work at the same time and in the same place every day. This way, when the time comes to sit at my desk, I know that I am ready and can start working.
- List and save to-do items
And my work has started. First of all, I list the tasks to be done for that day. While doing the work, I record how much time I spend on each task. Actually, I always try to record and list, but I am doing it more carefully these days. In this way, I can both track my progress in the tasks I am doing and these records help me understand when I will finish working.
- Take a break
It is essential to take short breaks and move around while working. This is usually not a problem when you are in the office. Going to someone to ask them something, stopping by the kitchen to get tea or coffee and chatting on the go are some of the small breaks and movements we take without even realizing it. When I work from home, I try not to neglect taking these small breaks and moving around. What I do is simple: I get up from my desk and walk around the house for a few minutes.
In addition to short breaks, it is also very important to stop and rest during a long lunch break and occupy our minds with something other than work. Even if we forget to take a lunch break while we are in the office and get caught up in work, someone usually reminds us. Then we all go out to eat and chat about something. On the other hand, when we are at home, things are different. I have to remind myself every time to take a lunch break. Even if I can’t go out to eat with my friends, I stop thinking about work and do other things for an hour. When I start working again refreshed, the second half of my workday is more productive.
I have a routine when I finish working, just like I do when I start working. I go over the work I have done one last time and check how well I have followed my plan. Thus, my shift is over.
How Does Not Being Able to Socialize Stop Being a Problem?
“With the encouragement of the company and communication within the team, not being able to socialize while working is no longer a problem.”
One of the biggest problems of remote work and the pandemic is not being able to socialize. With the company’s encouragement and team communication, this issue is far from being a problem when working. Outside of work, I try to talk to my family and friends often. We are all in similar situations. So I think these conversations make both parties happy. Of course, there is also the problem of the beautiful weather that comes with spring. It seems like it’s wasted when you don’t go outside. My solution for this is to go out to the balcony. From the breaks I take during the day to the tea I drink in the evening, I go out to the balcony whenever I have the chance. I don’t have to do anything. It feels good to get some fresh air, even for five minutes.
“My approach to the situation I am in is to focus on the positives and stay positive as much as possible.”
As with every situation we encounter in life, the current situation has its pros and cons. My approach is to focus on the pros and stay positive as much as possible. I know that soon we will be back out in our offices working with our friends. My goal is to make the most of the time I have until that day comes.
