7 life hacks to survive and thrive in the hybrid era

Best practices in the Philippine workforce have significantly evolved in recent years. Full-time office work was the model for companies pre-pandemic and work-from-home during the pandemic. The hybrid setup—switching between remote work and on-site duties—has now become the standard of many Filipinos as the world copes better with the virus. In Jobstreet’s “Future of Recruitment” report released in March 2023, 46 percent of Filipinos said they prefer a hybrid setup, while 28 percent preferred remote work.

But while more flexible than the previous models, the hybrid setup presents its own challenges. These compel and inspire smart workers to find different creative and resourceful ways to remain at the top of their game both professionally and personally. This is especially true for those who prefer to apply digital and mental finesse to their work processes. After all, working smart is always better than working hard.

Still need a little help transitioning to the hybrid way of life? Here are life hacks to not just survive but thrive in this era of smart living.

1. Remain productive wherever you are. Technology has churned out apps to help boost your productivity but only if you know how to maximize them. Here are some apps to help you navigate through your to-do lists whether at home or on the field: Hive, to manage projects better; Todoist, to manage your daily deliverables; IFTTT (If This Then That), to automate tasks; and Calendly, to schedule meetings. Let these apps help you focus!

2. Keep tabs on your finances in a jiffy. Being able to instantly check your bank account is especially important for freelancers who have contracts with several companies. Who has time to go to the bank anyway when swamped with work? Online banking and payment apps like Maya make it easy for you to know your financial standing at any given moment. It helps you track your expenses, automate monthly obligations, and hopefully save up.

3. Tweak your meal plans. When you’re working from home, cooking can be a distraction and a reason to procrastinate unless you do it the night before. One solution is to book healthy meals online to be delivered straight to your doorstep. It’s not as expensive as you think. These services also let you customize the price, calories, and delivery frequency. Many of them also do not use artificial flavoring, while some specialize in organic ingredients.

4. Find time to work out outdoors. When you’re working remotely, you can start as early as you want and have time to go outdoors during your breaks. Walk around the block after each task is accomplished or every two hours of sitting. Better yet, work out outdoors before your workday begins. Save the gym workout for days you’re on the field.

5. Narrow down your entertainment apps. Subscribing to so many streaming platforms can be counterproductive, giving you so many choices that you end up watching indiscriminately. For a more worthwhile entertainment experience, make a list of things you actually want to watch.

Into K-dramas? Viu lets you into a library of both K-drama classics and trending K-content you can stream at the same time it’s launched in Korea. You can subscribe to Viu Premium access with your PLDT Home account for as low as Php80/month—lower than other providers. What’s more exciting is when you upgrade your Fiber plan or get a mesh add-on until May 31, you can get one-month Viu Premium access on PLDT Home.

6. Secure your home. Home security should be a priority, whether you’re working at home only half the week or not. Check out eufy’s wide range of reliable smart home security cameras to help you monitor your home just through your smartphone. Purchase a eufy device with your PLDT Home subscription and enjoy flexible payment terms: one-time payment, 12 months, or 24 months. You can also order through PLDT Home’s official stores on Lazada or Shopee.

7. Upgrade your internet plan to suit your changing needs. Now that your workload is back a hundred percent, your current internet plan may need some upgrading, too.

Is your internet plan holding you back from crushing your workload? Don't let lagging speeds slow you down. Upgrade to the undisputed home internet connection—PLDT Home! With blazing speed, uninterrupted service, and exciting promotions, you'll be unstoppable.

Plus, PLDT Home just scored a five-peat win at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ 2022—proving they're the top digital service provider in the country. Get the most out of your hard-earned money and stay productive during these fast-paced times with PLDT Home by your side.

Upgrade your PLDT Home plan, purchase device add-ons, or get MyOwnWiFi until May 31 to enjoy exclusive rewarding experiences with PLDT Home Rewards. Get up to P80 cashback when you pay your bill via Maya. Plus, earn up to 950 Rewards Crystals that you can use for bill rebates with PLDT, Cignal, Smart, or exchange with SM vouchers and SMAC points; or for shopping on GrabFood, Shopee, Lazada, Zalora, and Robinsons.

For inquiries, visit www.pldthome.com.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by PLDT Home.