Google “working from home” and you’ll see a spectrum (спектр): some say working from home is the dream… others say it’s a nightmare of loneliness and lost productivity. The reality, of course, is usually somewhere in between. There are both challenges and benefits to working from home. The challenges (сложности) are real: the lack of social contact structure can wreak havoc (вызвать хаос) on anyone’s normal productivity level.
After reading the article do these tasks to check your comprehension.
I. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with words from the word bank:
to flatten the curve, revolutionized, lockdown (изоляция, карантин), embrace the opportunities, laid off, procrastination, wreak havoc, extraordinary.
1. My wife was recently ………. from her restaurant job, we don’t have childcare anymore, and our city is in ………..
2. We’re happy to be doing our part to ………., but it’s definitely a unique challenge for mental health and getting things done.
3. The lack of social contact structure can ………… on anyone’s normal productivity level.
4. If you can ………. of working from home it can help offset (уменьшить, нивелировать) some of the negatives.
5. You set a 25 minute timer, work for 25 minutes, and then take a 5 minute break. It’s that simple, but it’s …………. my work habits.
6. If you struggle with anxiety or ……….., set a goal of two hours ON for the first day.
7. We’re in an ………. time, and it’s okay if it takes some time to figure out how to be normal.
II. Which productivity killers does the author mention?
A. The kid who needs attention: playing a game, a drink, some fun.
B. The never ending tide of bad news (поток плохих новостей).
C. Chatting with friends online and social networks.
D. Youtube and Netflix.
E. Lack of social contact.
III. Which is the best way to organize yourself, according to the author?
A. To make a schedule and to keep a time log (отчет о работе с указанием времени).
B. To take short recharge breaks during the day.
C. To give yourself a little reward for doing your work period.
IV. What else does the author recommend? Choose the right answers.
A. To set up space in your house or apartment to be your work area.
B. Setting goals to achieve during the quarantine.
C. The pomodoro method, when you set a 25 minute timer, work for 25 minutes, and then take a 5 minute break.
D. Waking up at the same time everyday and following the regime.
E. Setting “office hours” at home.
F. Put more time into self care and care of your loved ones.
