Here's how you can work from home like a boss

A lot of people have been granted the opportunity to work from home as the country tries to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Not gonna lie: It’s great that we can stay in bed and work in pajamas, but it’s also an easy way to get sucked into a default “vacation mode” and abandon all work-related productivity real quick.

So, to help you stay on top of your game from the comfort of your own home, here are some pro-tips from corporate trainer and executive coach Boris Joaquin:

Choose a work place

“You really have to set up a particular area or work place na, once you step in there, naka-’work mode’ ‘yung mind mo,” Joaquin tells GMA News Online.

It doesn’t always have to be a flat surface, or a quiet area with walls where other people in the house can give you some privacy. Some people work just fine while lying in bed or at the dinner table.

But, for obvious reasons, it would be convenient to have even just one corner where all your work essentials -- like your computer, notes and chargers -- are organized. That way, you can easily explain to your kids and the entire household that “this is mommy’s work area.”

Track your productivity

Without a boss who can pop in anytime to “see how you’re doing,” nothing is stopping you from taking a “quick nap” or indulging yourself in a YouTube video or two.

The whole purpose of a to-do list is to manage your own productivity. “Para alam mo na ginagawa mo ‘yung dapat mong gawin,” Joaquin said.

He added that there are two things that can happen if you don’t start setting some boundaries: “You’re either gonna get distracted, or overwork yourself.”

When is ‘breaktime’?

If your boss has complete and utter faith in you, when and how you take your break is entirely up to you.

Joaquin, however, emphasized the very purpose of a break from work.

“Most likely your refrigerator is five feet or five steps away, so kung pwede kang kumain at mag-work at the same time, why not? Pero, at times, the essence of the break is not eating. It’s really more of getting your mind and your body to relax. Sometimes it’s exercising, walking around, or stretching.”

Maintain trust or, in this case, constant communication

At the very heart of a work from home setting is the mutual trust between workers and their employers. So be accountable: Keep your lines open and be alert for memos.

“Mahirap sa boss kapag hindi niya mabantayan ‘yung tao,” Joaquin explained. “But, in the same manner, if the people don’t think that their boss trusts them or they don’t trust their boss, they wouldn’t add extra value to their work, di ba?”

“Kasi nga hindi kayo nagkikita, kaya make sure you email or message. ‘Yung accountability mo. Kasi you’re building a trust system. Kasi the boss is telling you, at the same time, kino-communicate niya na, ‘I trust you and you’re doing your job’.”

Don’t sacrifice health and wellbeing

Joaquin reminded those working from home that they have the privilege of making a living without having to expose themselves to the virus.

He urged them to make sure they follow the precautions so they can keep on working with the assurance that their loved ones are safe. “Before you even start your work from home set-up, make sure na okay ‘yung pamilya mo.”

As of Thursday, the Philippines has 217 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 17 fatalities. The entire Luzon has been placed under enhanced community quarantine.

A management and marketing professional, Boris Joaquin is the president and CEO of Breakthrough Leadership Management Consultancy, Inc., founder of the Project Purpose Team, Inc., a corporate educator under the Duke CE Global Educators Network (UK) and a registered Investors in People (UK) specialist. --MGP, GMA News