5 reasons why you don't have to quarantine efficiently

In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, many Russian companies have declared quarantine and transferred employees to remote work. And we were immediately bombarded with articles, recommendations and suggestions on how to get through this period with maximum benefit.

As a result, it began to seem that quarantine is something like a productivity marathon.

You need to have time to improve English, wash windows, start playing sports, get to know yourself, use free courses... However, in practice, this is not the case for everyone: it is even difficult for someone to work in this mode, let alone listen lectures. But you shouldn't blame yourself for the unproductive quarantine. And that's why.

1. Quarantine is scary

If you think about it, we are now living under tremendous stress. Every day we read reports on those who fell ill and died from coronavirus, studying gloomy forecasts, looking at photos of empty shelves in grocery stores. Add to this the collapse of the ruble and the unstable political situation - and it becomes clear why even the most incorrigible optimists fear for their future and their loved ones.

It can be quite difficult to calm your anxiety and think about English and programming courses in such circumstances. So if you are overwhelmed by heavy thoughts, focus on helping yourself get through this time rather than breaking productivity records.

2. Remote work is not like a fairy tale

They still remember these pastoral pictures: beautiful and happy people are sitting under a palm tree with a laptop on knees and smile serenely, showing with all their appearance how well they work without terrible stuffy office. They make you believe that by moving to a remote location, you will forget about traffic jams and lack of sleep, you will receive well and will be able to devote time to your family, hobbies and personal plans.

Only, in fact, remote work is not suitable for everyone. And organizing yourself at home can be much more difficult than in the office.

Experienced remote workers know how difficult it is to resist the temptation to lie down on the sofa, watch TV, play a game console, or cuddle a cat. How difficult it can be to get up in the morning if you don't have to pay fines or write explanatory notes for being late.

How hard it is to keep a daily routine keep concentration and not stick to social networks. 34% of respondents to the survey conducted by HeadHunter named the main disadvantage of remote workHow many freelancers do we have and where do they work: survey results many distractions.

And if small children are left with you at home (schools and kindergartens are also closed or transferredLawyers assessed the consequences of absenteeism due to children in quarantine on the free visit mode), the mission becomes almost impossible. Because every 15 minutes you have to answer a million important questions and fight off a thousand "Mom, let's play" and "Dad, let's go for a walk."

In general, don't beat yourself up if teleworking isn't as easy as you hoped, and you barely manage to complete basic tasks - not like meditating, getting to know yourself and pumping press.

3. You don't have much free time

Yes, remotely, you don't have to waste time trying to steam off your jacket, get to work, or linger on some kind of joint gatherings. But you will most likely not have time to enjoy the freed up hours.

After all, it takes time to organize yourself, cook dinner, clean up (if you sit at home, you will also litter more than when you are not), take care of loved ones, too.

And it simply may not be enough for self-development. Try to take this philosophically, do not scold yourself. Focus on getting things done and praise yourself for every task you complete.

4. Study and self-development can be postponed

If you do not have an urgent need to study right now, organize movie marathons and start new businesses, you do not have to do this. Yes, calls to quarantine intensively and productively can be confusing, unnerving, and fearful lost profits: “How is it, there are so many interesting offers and free courses around, you need everything be in time! And in general, everyone is developing, but I just sit at home! "

But answer yourself honestly to the question, what do you want now: watch webinars and take intensive courses, or get through this difficult period as soon as possible?

If the latter, just accept that now you do not need new knowledge and impressions. And they will not go anywhere from you at all. Subscribing to movies and lectures costs little, and you can keep busy self-developmentwhen you have the time and energy.

5. Quarantine is not a vacation

The goal of quarantine is to wait out the incubation period of the virus, not to get infected yourself and, if you are still sick, not to transmit the disease to others. All.

If you manage to learn something new, read a few books and listen to a dozen interesting podcasts, great, you are great. If not, you are still great, because you obediently sat at home, followed the rules and thus helped stop the epidemic.