It’s NOT Holiday: We’re only Working from Home

Finally, almost everyone in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja will be required to work remotely (work from home precisely) for the next two weeks (hopefully), as mandated by Mr. President in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Holiday? Not quite! And that reminds me of what I said to my son when he had to start taking his second term assessment online last week after schools were abruptly closed for the same reason.

Have you, by any chance, come across the popular line that reads, ‘Make cool cash while doing your own thing as you like, when you like bla bla bla? (you all know what I’m talking about!) Well, they lied!!!

Have you ever seen the popular line that reads, ‘Make cool cash while doing your own thing as you like, when you like bla bla bla…’ Well, they lied!!! #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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Telecommuting can be very dicey, especially when it means ‘working from home’. It takes the sharpest and most disciplined minds on earth to make anything tangible of it. So, if you know that friend who makes cool legitimate cash being his own boss in this economy; or one who works for a company remotely, while still hitting all his targets; please go give kudos to him, because he has done really well.

Telecommuting is very dicey, especially when working from home. And it takes the sharpest and most disciplined minds on earth to make anything tangible of it. #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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While it is true that we are in uncertain times in which we need all the succour and distraction we can get from the harsh reality; through it all, we should live intentionally in hope of brighter days ahead.

We need succour at these harsh times, but through it all, let’s live intentionally in hope of brighter days ahead #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo Tweet

The message is this:

If you’re gainfully employed, and have been asked to work from home to curb the spread of COVID-19, or if you’re in business and are compelled to operate from home this period, please do not discount your job because you’re working remotely. Remember you’re not on leave. You are only working from home.

If you’re compelled to work from home by this lock down, do not discount your job. Remember you’re not on leave, only working for home #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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As a matter of fact, the little revenue your company hopes to generate in this harsh economy, or the little income you hope to get (if in business) at these uncertain times depends on the little you can do from the comfort (distraction) of your home.

But beyond all that, if only in appreciation of those front-line health practitioners facing the risk of contacting COVID-19 daily, who cannot even think of taking any days off, please you’ve got to try your best possible to keep showing up daily in your own little way. This will ensure that one more company stays in business, and our economy will be the better for it when this pandemic ends.

The survival of your company or business through these uncertain times might very well depend on the little work you get done #workingfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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Therefore, in this context please understand that next to your personal relationship with God, your priority should be the safety and (physical, mental, spiritual, psychological) well-being of your loved ones (yours too) and community, next to which comes your job. Some of us are even laden with the additional responsibilities of home-schooling our precious children, or taking care of older members of the family – told you it’s not holiday!

In appreciation of health workers risking contamination daily and can’t think of day-off, please keep showing up daily in your own little way. Our economy needs it when this is over #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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The winning approach to staying productive this season is to count other activities (eg. those nice-to-have get-rich-quick online courses, facebooking, whatsapping, tweeting, instagraming etc) as ‘extracurricular’ . Please give what is Caesar’s to Caesar, allot time to every activity accordingly, and be disciplined enough to stick rigidly to that schedule.

And concerning your job, it would be of great benefit if you are proactive. Try hard to do everything as at when due or earlier if possible. From experience, work piles up geometrically when not tackled as at when due. So, save yourself the extra burden of self-induced work overload. Your family and community don’t need the stress your extra burden would then generate.

While working remotely, work piles up geometrically when not tackled as at when due, so please try to keep tabs on your work and avoid the extra burden of self-induced work overload #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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An unspoken rule of life says, ‘If you don’t plan your own time, you will spend it as part of someone else’s time’ . And time is life. Read that sentence again.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that this pandemic has brought the reality of the future of work upon us. In my Nigerian tongue, gone are those days when people will look at you somehow when you tell them you’re working from home. Telecommuting has come to roost both globally and here in Africa.

gone are those days when people will look at you somehow when you tell them you’re working from home. Telecommuting has come to roost both globally, and here in Africa. #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo Tweet

Also noteworthy is the fact that many companies might be forced to downsize as an aftermath of the economic impact of this pandemic. Some roles will no more be relevant, while it will be cheaper for companies to keep some roles remote.

Economic aftermaths of #COVID-19 – Some companies will downsize and some roles will become irrelevant #workfromhome @funmie_adebayo
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Therefore, this is also a good time to hone your digital skills and get more knowledge about the Future of Work. It would be great to check out some remote jobs that suit your role if you’ve always wanted to work remotely or if you are a job seeker, or just in case.

Please stay prayerful and hopeful. Observe social distance. Stay safe. Stay indoors as much as possible, and ensure to make time for keeping in touch with family and friends.

Very soon, this too shall pass, and we shall all be preserved by His grace. And when that day comes, all you need to take off seamlessly will depend on how well you handled today.

What are you reading this lock down?

The truth is that staying productive at this time in hope of a better tomorrow is the best antidote to paralysing fear. Anyone already living beyond the realities of these challenging times has escaped death already. That is hope, the kind of one that leaves no room for fear, as it says, ‘I am certain I am part of those who will live to testify of the Lord’s kindness after these trying times’.

God is pleased with anyone who thinks that way, I can assure you. He is pleased when we live in ways that show we hope to live to see better days. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the evidence if things hoped for, and hope maketh not ashamed.

Staying productive at this time in hope of a better tomorrow is the best antidote to paralysing fear. #workfromhome #COVID-19 @funmie_adebayo
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Ephesians Chapter 5:15-16 says

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15‭-‬16 KJV

Anyone already living beyond the realities of these challenging times has escaped death already. Fear kills faster than #COVID-19 #workfromhome @funmie_adebayo Tweet

Please let go of your fears and live intentionally. May the good hands of the Almighty preserve us all this time and beyond, as we hope and trust in Him. Amen.