If you have had trouble adjusting to lockdown during COVID-19, you are in good company. From adopting new routines to living full-time with family members, we are all experiencing growing pains. As an entrepreneur and real estate lead investor, Randal Gindi spends most of his time searching for new and exciting opportunities. As a result, he has turned his focus on adopting positive lifestyle changes and staying productive during this difficult time.
With a fiery passion for business and a love for collaborating with others, Randal Gindi has a few helpful tips on how to make the best of an unfortunate situation. From maintaining a regular schedule to incorporating healthy lifestyle habits, Randal Gindi is sharing all of his best tips for working from home during lockdown.
What was your first week in lockdown like?
The first week was easy; I was grateful to be spending time with my family while enjoying the comforts of being at home. However, this was the calm before the storm. The next couple of weeks were difficult; I realize now that this was a period of adjustment. I began to feel trapped, and it was not until I started embracing my situation that I came out on the other side. Whether people realize it or not, this pandemic is having a grief-like effect on all of us, as we mourn the loss of life as we knew it and start to embrace a new way of living.
How do you stay productive while working from home?
I apply the same discipline I usually have in my work to my life at home. I try my best to cut out all distractions, turning off my phone when I am focusing on business and scheduling frequent breaks. As I live with my family, I do my best to maintain a schedule that balances both my personal and professional obligations. On the one hand, I devote my week, from 8 AM – 6 PM (roughly) to work, and the remainder of my time is spent with my family. I find that creating clear dividing lines between the two sets of boundaries helps me maximize my overall productivity.
I used to believe in multitasking, but I find I am my best when I am present with whatever it is that I am doing. When I am with my family, I do not take work calls and I focus all of my energy on them. When I am doing business, I focus on the task at hand, limit distractions, and accomplish what I can before taking a break. It is working out well.
What specific lifestyle habits have you adopted during your time in lockdown?
I started working out at home. Luckily, the internet is a vast resource and has a wide range of exercise videos. From cardio exercises to body-weight workouts, I try to switch it up every day to keep things interesting. I try to involve my family to get the mutual benefit of spending time together and doing something productive. I also started experimenting with new recipes, as I now have the time to do so. Trying to maintain my mental and physical wellbeing during lockdown, I have been particularly drawn to healthy recipes. I have made cooking a family affair, and that not only motivates me to cook but allows me to spend quality time with them.
What advice do you have for those wanting to adopt healthy eating right now?
Start batch cooking. If you are still working, take three hours out of your day to cook meals for the rest of the week. I have found that cooking every meal can be exhausting and completely unrealistic for those who are not normally in the kitchen. I recommend researching quick and easy recipes that can be prepared in a single afternoon. Focusing on one meal at a time will ensure you are not overwhelmed and will help you to enjoy the process.
Is there a relationship between lifestyle habits and productivity?
Absolutely. If you do not take care of your physical and mental wellbeing, you will feel tired, sluggish, off-balance, and unfocused. How is someone supposed to show up for their family and work when they feel that way? Everything is connected, and the habits that you adopt on a daily basis will affect everything in your life. The best way to think about it, is that you need to sacrifice in the short-term for the long-term.
What is one healthy lifestyle habit you wish you had?
I have heard about the numerous benefits associated with meditation for years now, and it is a skill that I would love to come out of lockdown with. While eating healthy and exercising can be great mood boosters, I know that meditation can aid in focus and productivity, and I am eager to get started for that reason. I encourage everyone in lockdown to try at least one new thing—if not now, then when?
What advice do you have for others having trouble adjusting?
Focus on being happy with where you are right now, no matter the circumstances. We all long for the day when this is all over and we can hug our friends, go back to work, and get back to life as usual, but until then, focus on making your current situation as positive as possible.