Eesti
Monday (30.03.2020)
Turning the clocks to summertime didn’t make it harder to wake up earlier, I’m a morning person anyways.
As always, breakfast comes first. A bowl of porridge this time, ETV news playing in the background. It has been snowing in Hiiumaa and there are 715 positive corona tests in Estonia. Keep yourself and others safe, everything is clear – 2+2 and hopefully everything’s back to normal in a few months. Then we will get to see how this thing has affected us, overall and in a personal level.
I’ve been my own boss for 15 years. Home office and working from home isn’t something new for me. Self-discipline is the key word here – what I have planned for myself, that needs to get done. I have never loved to be in a rush with something and getting things done earlier gives me a great sense of peace.
Today’s first order is to answer to all my emails. Then I’ll get to the activities in my notebook that I have planned ahead of time. There’s going to be two Marketing lectures (online) in the evening, I probably have to prepare and recall things for those too.
All of the must-be things are done by 11 AM. Time to make myself a cup of tea and grab a mid-morning snack.
It’s the end of the month (again), I need to scan some documents to send to accountants on Wednesday – some homework for them also.
I need to keep myself updated on the Aktuaalne Kaamera news at noon, I hope there are some positive news…
After lunch I’m going to revise for the upcoming lectures and at 5:30 PM… Start-Hasart, Let’s begin. Of course, giving a lecture in person is totally something else from the online classes. I’m not going to use PowerPoint slides, I’m turning it more into a seminar which expects taking part of the conversations and written activities actively. That’s why I’ve added these activities to Canvas.
Shortly about the online classes – nice and experienced people who are fun to interact with.
Now, there’s still a little bit of time for me to watch the evening news, and then it’s time for bed shortly after that. Tomorrow’s lecture starts at 8:30 AM, so I even have some time to prepare.
Tuesday (31.03.2020)
Nice and sunny morning, -6 degrees, it is refreshing to look outside. My morning muesli consumed, and I am landing right in front of my computer. I’m having a lecture after an hour with the Sales students, topic – service. There’s a lot of material and I’m trying hard to fit into the timeframe 😉
Lecture is done! I used some new solutions in Canvas, the lecture was livelier and more versatile. “Inimene õpib kogu elu, ….” [“A man learns all his life…] 😉 A big “Thanks” to the students for taking part! It’s fun with you!
After lunchtime I need to update yesterday’s and today’s materials – I’m getting new ideas in every lecture and I must write them down in order to not to lose them.
I spent the night just chilling 😉 After homemade fried potatoes and a cup of tea, one needs to slow down and enjoy the third eight with their loved ones.
Wednesday (01.04.2020)
Woke up without an alarm out of habit 🙂 For breakfast; an omelette that is made after a new recipe every time – after all, cooking is a creative activity. Listened the news and talked about the situation and our plans for today and the upcoming days with my spouse. It’s snowy outside at the moment, but it all melted away before noon.
So, heading to the computer to check on my next lectures and write some thoughts down to feel good and have it all under control.
I hear sweet crackling from a hobby potter rolling clay in the kitchen…
The 1st of April! New month, time is passing by with frantic speed. Materials and documents for my accountant, who is also doing work from home, are already scanned. Now I’m attaching them to an email, and “send”. Bank statements too. Done! … And a cup of tea, as per usual.
I totally forgot that I planned to roll up some sushi for lunch. But the rice needs to cook before, so that it could cool down in time. Okay, got everything done in time, and the feedback from diners was positive!
I managed to revise the next two lessons and do some additional activities – so, the work-part of the day is done. My afternoon consisted of chores, news, dinner, Pealtnägija, AK, some reading and.. Good night!
I had a great day, once again!
Thursday (02.04.2020)
Calm morning filled with usual things.
Took some time off today, so I didn’t touch the work stuff at all. I had a few “at home” activities in mind, that were perfect for today. It’s great to do something else for a change.
Friday (03.04.2020)
Oh wow, so much thunder and hail! Glad, it didn’t disturb my good nights’ sleep 🙂
As always, the more active part of my day, the morning, passed by behind the desk. I uploaded the materials for the next week to Canvas, sent out a letter here and there about marketing internship, to students in both Tallinn and Helsinki, and also sent out some training-themed emails to my clients and partners.
We decided to enjoy our lunch away from home today. A great friend of mine makes square pizzas in Saue. We’re not going inside, but the takeaway helps, so Bon Appetit!
To sum up, I had a balanced and productive week. All that was planned got done, and I even got a little bit ahead. [8=8=8]: the first eight hours stands for a great sleep. The middle eight means to have your work stuff done – and I got them done in less than 8 hours a day. The third eight, “personal time”, was also very productive – I had some time for myself, to focus on my relationships, to do some chores but also to do literally nothing.
B. Ware has written that being happy is our own choice. I totally agree, even in quarantine. Stay safe!
Author: Guido Paomees
Editor: Tea Teesalu
Translator: Marlen Kuusk
