Work. Children. A pandemic. Six expert tips for managing it all

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How to survive home isolation? 2:03

(CNN Business) - Many employees have recently taken on new roles: being distance workers, caregivers, and teachers.

Since most of the country is under confinement orders, workers try to juggle all their new jobs… at the same time.

• READ: Tips from a teacher: this way you can educate your children at home in the middle of the coronavirus emergency

Expectations should now be set slightly below normal in these extraordinary circumstances.

Here we give you some ideas to manage all the demands:

Identify essential tasks and your priorities

You won't be able to do as much as usual in the office, so you should prioritize what tasks you need to complete at the end of the day and then discover the best way to tackle them.

If you know that “essential or mandatory” work requires quiet time, find ways to create that moment.

For example, Laura Vanderkam, author of Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done records her podcasts in the morning before her children wake up.

"It is the only time when there is silence," he said. “I don't do things like clean up my email inbox right now because it would be a waste of time. I can delete emails when my children ask me to help them fix some of their classes by Zoom for school, but I can't record during that time. ”

Ellen Faye, Productivity and Leadership Instructor, recommended creating four categories to help manage your priorities: critical (should be done today), important (should be done in the next few days), soon (not critical, but should be done soon), and later (less important tasks).

To determine which classification a task should be placed in, she suggested asking questions such as: Am I going to disappoint myself or someone else if I can't do this? Will I miss a deadline or will it cost me money?

It is also recommended to take note of the hours when you are most productive (for many people it's in the morning) and try to tackle the tasks that are most important or require the most attention during that time.

Be "multitasking" strategically

The activity of multitasking (“multitasking” in English) usually has a bad reputation, but it can be useful if you do it strategically.

Trying to do two complex tasks at the same time, such as writing a report for work and helping your child with science homework, is unproductive. But you may be more successful working on two things if one of the activities requires less attention.

• LOOK: How to survive confinement of the coronavirus as parents, especially mothers who carry the burden

For example, listening to a video call while folding clothes or unloading the dishwasher.

"You can't be thinking about two things at once," Faye insisted. "You can't solve two problems at once."

Group similar tasks

If you know you have to make a lot of phone calls or complete expense reports, don't distribute them throughout the day, said Kathryn McKinnon, a time management expert.

Set aside a time when you finish them all at once.

"Your mind works more efficiently when you do multiple tasks of the same type one after another instead of changing," McKinnon explained.

Dedicate yourself fully to children

It is difficult to concentrate when a child is begging you to play with him or read him a book. It is time to give up and spend full time with them.

"They will bother all morning to play Candy Land. If you bite the bullet and play, you can buy yourself some peace for a while, "said Vanderkam. "Often, it doesn't take as much attention to make them happy for a while," he added.

Going outside (safely, of course) and letting them release some energy can also be a boon to your productivity.

"Getting some active time early can tire them out and maybe they will be happier doing quiet things later and you will be able to do a little work," Vanderkam said.

Start delegating

Now is the time to start looking at your to-do list and see who else could help cross out some items.

"Use your executive skills to delegate family chores to other members rather than thinking that they should all be done by you," McKinnon said.

Take a break

Here's the point: the demands on your time have increased dramatically, but there are still only 24 hours in a day.

Some things are not going to be done, and that's fine.

• READ: Create an effective family routine when you are confined at home by the coronavirus

While some chores will slip away, take time to take care of yourself, whether that means taking a call with a friend, watching your favorite show, or spending a quiet moment alone.

"You won't be successful in doing anything if you don't focus a little on yourself," McKinnon warned. “Trying to at least get some sleep and eat right, and having a feeling of physical, spiritual and mental well-being is really important. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be good for anyone else, ”he added.

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