Endurance for the fittest has always been the adage known to most until a crisis hits!
Our history is marred with periods that put human ingenuity to the test, from the world wars, the great depression, and the 2008 financial crisis.
For millennia, humans have been on repeat, using the same tactics or tools used by those who came before, but with impediments and caveats caused by the new COVID-19 crisis, the need for change in our response has never been greater.
Millions have been pushed to work from the comfort and discomfort of their homes where one is required to take the workload and stay accountable to managers and clients, while taking care of their mental health and most of all, keeping in touch with friends and family.
While working from home makes most if not all their own, captains, mismanagement of any resource, tools, or health can be detrimental.
For the start, categorize those that are in your control; planning, time, the room, Internet connection, notifications, furniture, and things that aren’t the noisy environment, a distraction from people.
In your control, start the day with a simple to-do list of the tasks at hand even better still if your company can develop a remote work plan for all departments and employees. This shades the burden of disorder that may ensue thereof.
Time may fly or slow down depending on the velocity of work, working continuously as it were in the office may not suit most, so working in bursts instead by employing the Pomodoro technique which recommends having about 40–50 minutes of productive work and 10–15 minutes of relaxation could help decline tasks or offers that will distract one from completing the tasks at hand.
All work with no play makes Phillip a dull boy shouldn’t be forgotten.
Beyond those 10 minutes of rejuvenation, take a few more days or hours to call friends and family. Couple that with at least 2 days of workouts at home or jogging and you will wryly at those back pains, red eyes, and mental health issues.
As before in history, our malleability and quick response to change are what makes us human. This crisis and many more to come only force us to become antifragile and allows for stronger humans of the future.
Kigenyi Phillip is a Software Engineer at Outbox.
