J U LY
2020
HOW TO SURVIVE AND… THRIVE WORKING FROM HOME
CONTENTS
Pages 3 & 4
How to Survive and… Thrive Working from Home
Page 5
VM Team Member Playbook for Home Ownership
Page 6 VM Tidbits
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HOW TO SURVIVE AND… THRIVE WORKING FROM HOME
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our personal and professional lives for the foreseeable future. Understandably, work-from-home policies are now the cornerstone of striving companies that have adapted and are navigating this ‘new normal’. Working from home in this new era of social distancing, can become lonely and somewhat isolated, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re not used to working remotely and currently don’t have an organised work area, your productivity flow maybe thrown of by distractions. To be fair you are in your personal space not your typical professional environment. Plus, you may have been juggling home schooling, a toddler who doesn’t understand why you don’t want to snuggle and play or even a spouse yelling questions from the other room. On the flip slide, you may be working overtime since your home and already
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in the productive zone, so you continue working beyond the end of your regular working hours. Here are some Productivity Tips for Working at Home Working from home might take some time to get used to, it’s important to have a set schedule and stick to it. Ensure to you retain your regular morning routine as if you were going to the office, avoid sleeping in or lingering over breakfast. 1. Confine your workspace to a specific area: This will ensure that your job is not invading your entire personal space, and you can concentrate at your designated workstation to answer your calls or emails as you continue your workflow throughout the day. This will also help your family to understand that once you in
this space the only interruptions should be an emergency. All while maintaining healthy boundary at home when it’s time to close off for the day and relax in your home. 2. Establish water-tight psychological boundaries- You are home and are constantly being reminded mentally of temptations; there is chocolate cake in the fridge, the Price Is Right is on TV now or unfinished personal tasks- like doing laundry or the dishes. In these instances, treat these temptations like you would if you were at the office, and complete these personal activities outside of work hours. 3. Recharge your batteries- After a reasonable day’s work, put away your computer and work tools just as how a baker would shelve banking equipment and baking ingredients after making pastries. By keeping work reminder out of your view, your mind will be more
relaxed as you switch gears and recharge your batteries. 4. Stay Connected to Team MembersTake advantage of the company’s telecommunicating platforms such as Microsoft Team and set up video calls with collages to flesh out ideas or keep track of production schedules. 5. Take a Walk… outside- Avoid being cooped up inside the house, schedule breaks within your day to eat and stretch our legs outside, being outside in nature has shown to help reduce stress and help you relax and clear your mind. Above all keep your attitude in check, perspective is power. Get creative so you can maintain your tranquility, happiness and productivity.
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VM TEAM MEMBER PLAYBOOK FOR HOME OWNERSHIP Homeownership for most persons is the biggest purchase of a lifetime, it a way to secure a brighter future for their family by build generational wealth. The journey to home ownership may filled with a mix of excitement and a feeling of being overwhelmed with thoughts of affordability. As a Victoria Mutual Team Member, the goal of owning your own home is smother and more accessible than you think! CHECKOUT THE PLAYBOOK FOR HOME OWNERSHIP AT VICTORIA MUTUAL:
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Step 1: Research properties to establish a goal
Step 2: Do a Pre-Qualification
Step 3: Amp up your Saving Skills
Discovering the right home for you and your family is the utmost importance. However, with some many different home options at different price points, it may seem intimating at first. It’s important to become educated about property taxes, maintenance costs that may come with home ownership, and property insurance. This information can be used to help you establish your goals as it relates to home ownership. You may consider reaching out to a realtor from VM Property Service or visiting: vmpsrealestate.com for help.
Once you have established your home ownership goal, it’s best to sit with your HR Partner and have him/her to explain the mortgage process and outline the documents needed as a VM Team Member. Additionally, you should also have a mortgage pre-qualification done to help determine your home purchase price point. Also request a calculation for the down payment and closing cost required. This information will help you determine how much more money you may need to save.
It all comes down to savings, it may require some sacrifices and adjustments in the beginning, however the secret is to make a financial plan. This involves setting a budget and sticking to it. A good way to save consistently towards your deposit and closing cost to open a specific fixed savings account like the iSave for Home from Victoria Mutual.
VM TIDBITS
VICTORIA MUTUAL FOUNDATION AND VICTORIA MUTUAL PENSION MANAGEMENT MASK DONATION General manager of the Golden Age Home, Zonia Foster Forbes (centre), is all smiles as she elbow bumps manager of Risk and Compliance at VM Pensions and VM Wealth, Natalie Bennett, and manager of the VM
Foundation, Naketa West, after accepting a donation of face masks for residents and staff of the home recently. The initiative was driven by team members of VM Pensions in collaboration with the VM Foundation.
VICTORIA MUTUAL TEAM PULLED OFF FIRST IN PERSON AND DIGITAL AGM The 141st Annual General Meeting of The Victoria Mutual Building Society was held on June 19, 2020 at the Talk of the Town Suite, Pegasus hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5 at 10:00 a.m. Given current social distancing protocols, in-presence attendance is limited to 50 Members VM Executives and Team Member Volunteers . All other Members will be able to participate via private live stream. The AGM was also stream on Victoria Mutual Social Media Platforms and carried live on JNN. Check out the highlights:
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