Work at home: productivity secrets from the editor-in-chief of the female portal HOCHU.ua Anna Ivanenko

Anna Ivanenko, editor-in-chief of the female portal HOCHU.ua, in an interview for VITAGURU, told how she adapted to the new format of work under quarantine and what difficulties she had to face. Anna also shared the secrets of productivity and her new hobby, which helps to distract from everything that happens.

Anna, tell us how your work changed during quarantine? How to work at home to stay productive?

I work remotely from the beginning of quarantine: from March 12 to this day. Prior to this, for 7 years I worked in an office. It’s convenient, tasks are solved much faster, and the office itself is disciplined.

Perhaps the most difficult was the first week, when everyone, to put it mildly, was seized by panic. But our team is always tuned to positive and only the best, and therefore learned to work productively remotely.

I once listened to the podcast “How to Live,” and I was struck by the words of Galina Timchenko (CEO and founder of the Meduza news project) that inside of each of us is a “monkey” that continually gets out when we get work, especially routine. I’ll go eat first, browse social media feed, listen to music. The state of this “monkey” is destructive, and it must be “suppressed”, otherwise there will be no sense from work.

But after a serious task, you can encourage yourself. I can afford sweets if I really want to (later I will work out at home) or watch my favorite series in the evening instead of finishing the important tasks. By the way, I recently watched 2 seasons of the British comedy-drama series Sex Education and now I recommend it to everyone.

Also, my productivity is directly dependent on the sport. During quarantine, I started training even more than before. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays I have a stretch, on Fridays a healthy back and splits. If there is a little more time left, then I spend time on cardio training.

How do you plan your work day to keep up with everything?

I have a paper diary in which I write down all the tasks for the day. I divide them into primary and secondary. After completing them, I just tick the checkboxes. Kind of old school, but it is it which helps me systematize work processes.

This is also daily communication, and it is important to pay attention to everyone. No one should feel left behind – neither family, nor team.

It’s also planning a month in advance. In our sphere, it is important to take into account events in order to accurately understand which day a particular material, interview or compilation will be released.

Do you have personal time management secrets?

An important part of time management is delegation. At first it was very difficult. After all, who, if not me, will better cope with the task? If you partially recognized yourself in this, then immediately drive these thoughts away from you. Because in a week you will feel like a plowed horse and it will not lead to anything good. Plus, new areas for growth open up for the team – improving and improving their results with each new task.

How do you manage to combine work, sports, hobbies and leisure during quarantine?

Very difficult! Because my work day is now stretched for an indefinite amount of time. At home, I began to work many times more. But also during isolation, I was finally able to realize my little dream! I started making short funny videos for up to 20 seconds. This is my “switch”, which distracts from the flow of endless news. And what do you think, literally in 2 weeks the involvement of my account on Instagram has grown several times! Even my sometimes candid photos do not collect so many likes and comments.

It motivates when people often write in PM: “We are waiting for the next video,” “I watched your videos several times.” Such words simply do not allow you to stop. Full speed ahead!

How do you cope with life’s challenges? What motivates you?

By temperament, I am a choleric and partly sanguine. Therefore often, firstly I “blow off steam”, and then just laugh at the situation.

In work, I motivate myself. Every day I feel the support of my team and I understand that I have no right to give up for a second. They believe in me, and I believe in them. Every day we are growing more, developing, discovering something new, rejoice at the results of the work done.

Is it possible to achieve a balance in all areas of life?

If in a percentage ratio, then 90% you will definitely succeeds. I am a careerist, I manage to devote time to hobbies, sit on the splits, I have a family that unconditionally supports me in everything. I will not dissemble that with such a pace of life and character as mine – not every man standing next to me can handle it. But everything has its time!

Photo: Anna Libova, Dmitry Kalashnik