Work from home is the new normal. Millions around the world have made a sudden transition because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some who experienced layoff but there are workers that are lucky enough to avoid the same. Many employees have been adapting to a workplace that is very familiar to them, a place they called “home”. These people are finding ways to be effective but are they doing it the right way?

Working from home can be easier or it can be surprisingly tough. An endless noise in the neighborhood, a TV that never turns off, a child wanting to play, the loss of composure and loads of work. These can be all disorienting and exhausting that can possibly leads a person to burn out. Learning new skills is exciting, overcoming stress brings relief. There are pros and cons while working from home so all you need to do is to master the following habits.

1. Set a dedicated work space that’s separate from your bed and living space. Make it a place where you'll enjoy working and distraction free. Working at your designated work space will set a tone of diligence and focus on work for the rest of the day.
2. Follow a routine and manage your time. Establish a good routine to ensure that your work life will not be distracted by your personal life. Set a time and stick to it. Have a clear guideline on when to work and when to end your day.
3. Establish boundaries to avoid interactions with family and friends. Set rules about what they can and cannot do during your work to avoid distractions.
4. Plan your tasks for each day. Have a time management by creating a task by priority and plan out what you'll be working on ahead of time. This will lead to a productive day and satisfaction.
5. Maintain a work-life balance. Don’t forget to socialize, draw boundaries and give yourself a chance to separate from work.

Employers may also start working on seminars and disseminate video presentations to promote the habits to master while working at home. Follow these habits in your work routine and you’ll see the benefits of it. In the end, it is the joint effort of the employee and employer to maintain an effective workforce during COVID-19 pandemic. Self-improvement with the help of this habits may result to never ending dedication to serve and urge to continuously work amidst the crisis.