Work from home, become a global nomad, and save the planet

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by Michael Bridge

 

Sounds great and ironically it is becoming more of a reality thanks to the pandemic.

 

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, big companies such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, and many companies in between have rolled out a mandatory work from home policy all over the world. 

 

Initially, in a joint effort to flatten the Covid curve, governments around the world were urging us to self-isolate and stay at home.

 

Now as many of us, including the boss, have experienced online working, we are re-evaluating our plans and actually altering the way they work.

 

The obvious benefit of working from home is the huge savings on commuting, and that will help reduce emissions dramatically. 

 

Still treat it like a real job

You still need to be disciplined and to treat it as an actual job. 

It will help you get into the right mind frame.  For example, instead of lounging around in your pajamas, wake up earlier, take a shower, and get dressed.

Of course, you don’t have to wear a suit or dress, but something a little more formal than your underwear is a start. 

Do exactly as you would when you’re going to work. 

Don’t have breakfast while working as you will start adopting the habit of snacking at your workspace. 

Additionally, you now have the time to squeeze in some mini workouts and a healthy breakfast before work.

Plus, you don’t have to “rush to work” and feed on anxiety. 

On the other hand, it is also essential to take sufficient breaks. 

Take a quick walk, look outside your window, and breathe in some fresh air. Do what you can to keep your mind active.

 

Upgrade your equipment

First and foremost, having a designated area to work will help you concentrate, and you can avoid the intrusion of family members and vice versa. 

Equipping your workspace with may be double monitors, a wireless keyboard, and a mouse will create a conducive place to work. 

Check emails, voicemails, and texts from your specific work area, so that you’re not doing it in front of the TV or kitchen table. 

Make your workspace a stress-free zone where you can concentrate and work in peace. 

It’s easy if you have a separate room, but if you don’t, find an area with minimum footsteps or off the main area.

Now that you’re more isolated, opt for video calls instead of audio calls for meetings. It will also help you look more presentable and take it more seriously. 

Telecommunication devices like Zoom and Slack are widely used by employers to keep in touch with their employees. 

Global citizens, global nomads who work remotely usually use these telecommunication devices to get their work done.

Remember to turn off

After all the typing, clicking, client calls, and team meetings, put away your electronic devices and work tools. 

It’s too easy to keep working throughout the day and not unwind. Learning to keep work-related stuff out of sight, helps you relax and recharge your batteries.

Do not go back to watching TV or scroll through your phone. 

Instead, go for a walk, do some gardening, play with your kids in your backyard.

Research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, helps you clear your mind and relax. 

Enjoy other areas of your home – read a book, cook a fun meal, enjoy a movie. 

FaceTime, Skype, and chat with your friends and family.  Get connected to the people you care about.

Go back just a few decades and all this support had not even been invented. 

Now it is very doable and thanks to Covid 19, many are continuing to work successfully from home.

It now seems a win-win situation for everyone.

Let us know if you are or plan to become a global online nomad?

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-03-02

 

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[Neeranam]

Some good tips there. 

Remote wiring is the best thing to have happened in my career. 

[RichardColeman]

Work from home, become a global nomad, and save the planet

 

Notice they do not address using the air conditioner whilst working from home !

[bluejets]

18 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Remote wiring is the best thing to have happened in my career. 

Like to see how the techie does that from home..............

[khunPer]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Work from home, become a global nomad, and save the planet

 

Notice they do not address using the air conditioner whilst working from home !

On the other hand, they save heating...

[Sparktrader]

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Work from home, become a global nomad, and save the planet

 

Notice they do not address using the air conditioner whilst working from home !

Nomad means moving.

[RafPinto]

Now I know where all bargirls are.
They are saving the planet.

[RafPinto]

I got last night a remote massage.

 

[nglodnig]

Tried that for a while, one problem is the time difference with say Euope or the US - unless you want to start work at 4pm (well maybe you do) you will find yourself out of step with your colleagues back in the office - it's OK if you are doing development work needing no interaction but if you do meetings (Skype / Zoom) you could be working late into the night. Again, that might appeal to some people..... we have a lot of off-shore staff and many of them end up doing shift-work in Asia to match up with our office hours.