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Working from Home After Covid19
Working from Home
Yikes – Told you’re continuing to work from home after Covid19? Be careful what you wish for.
Now that you’ve gotten all the equipment and organizational tools down with what was needed to work from home – many are being told – “just stay there”.
It can be a real shock because not EVERYONE is best suited to be productive at home. There are issues…so let’s discuss a few.
- Got kids? Pets? Partner? I’ve watched many Zoom meetings with visible interruptions on screen. I even heard one attendee yelling at her hubby and kids to “get outta here.” The reality is- people think because you are home – You’re not REALLY working. That same feeling will come thru once the kids are back at school too. You may get called to run errands never before asked, after the prefix… “while you’re home.” Even local friends and relatives might call and ask you to take them to the doc, go to the grocery store, go hunting or to the beach, or to blatantly take the day off…because you aren’t at “the office.”
- Staying focused is also a real issue. Have you caught yourself going to the fridge to get a drink only to realize you are next doing dishes or unloading the dishwasher? Did you drop a towel off at the washing machine only to think I might as well do a load of laundry while here?
- You need a mind break. At work you could break that work concentration overhearing in-house conversations, or getting a cup of coffee, or attending an office meeting, or the boss wants you. No such luck at home. And yet research proves you need to take mental breaks to be at your most productive.
As a Get a Life…Balanced Podcaster and Professional Speaker, I have gathered strategies from my many years with audiences. It just makes sense to share some real-life ways to solve some of these issues. So, for issue one.
- Of course, the very first thing you must do is hold a KTC (Kitchen Table Conference) and explain what is going on in the household and how you will be working now. Communication is key to preventing most issues so keep those lines open. Then, here are some tips. One of my stay-at-home workers told me she had two ballcaps painted with 4 letter words. One with the word LIFE and one with the word WORK. When she’s in the business mode, she wears the WORK hat and even if she goes into the kitchen to get a drink of water, everyone understands they are not to interrupt her thinking and business flow. When she’s finished, she puts her LIFE hat on and then welcomes any requests for hugs and kisses. Many of my attendees report back that this really works for them.
Another took a hint from a hotel room and hangs on his door DO NOT DISTURB. Everyone knows not to open that door or bother him.
One sailor made small flags, red, green, and yellow and hangs one of his door. Green means he is available for personal interaction, yellow means “I’m busy but you can interrupt” and red means “No interruptions, I’m concentrating.” Everyone abides by those rules and he has been able to stay focused and get more done than expected, which has given him more free time with the family.
- Ok for problem number 2. Staying focused on your work helps if you will list and schedule what needs to be done that day. Knowing you need to get a project or task done will aid in you getting your drink BEFORE you start work so that you don’t have to stop and take the risk of getting distracted. Have you ever felt like you worked all day but got “nothin” done? When you make a list, that allows you to “tic off” your accomplishments, you will feel better about “staying in the now” to finish the job. And with all the organization videos on YouTube (I love Marie Condo) you will have systems in place where you CAN get the laundry and housework done, as a team, so you aren’t tempted to do it INSTEAD of working on work.
- Staying focused on work is important and research has shown you WILL be more productive if you DO take mind breaks. You may have even worked in an environment that knows that a power nap will boost your memory, cognitive skills, creativity, and energy level. But a power nap is a purposeful time (usually 10-20 minutes) set aside to rejuvenate – not just that you got bored or want to crawl back into bed and watch the end of that series on Netflix you started. And what if you are someone who feels worst after a nap? Then you could…
Take a mental break outside. Go listen to the birds, feel the sunshine, the wind rustle, and feel the grass between your toes. I break every day for a few minutes to see which flower or vegetable plant has opened. And if you’re not an outside person, set the timer and pick up some crayons and a coloring book. I love all the adult coloring books that are now available and encouraged. They certainly have calmed me in the past while sitting at an airport or on a plane waiting to be cleared to leave. When I do this training inside corporations, we suggest everyone bring a catalog from home and trade. It’s interesting to view different themed magazines you haven’t even heard of before.
So this is just a start. There are more tips on the podcast and YouTube channel. And you can certainly email at [email protected] with additional questions.
Every new challenge is an opportunity to grow because success is always in YOUR hands.
About the Author:
Sheryl Nicholson, holds the CSP designation given to the top Professional Speakers in the industry. She has authored 7 of her own books and is published in major magazines. She created Get a Life Balanced podcast and Youtube channel with 52 tips to help listeners move from survival to success to Significant Living. For booking information view www.Sheryl.com
Sebastian was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Saad Mushtaq has contributed to many online publications including the PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Saad Mushtaq earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Saad Mushtaq follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.Thanks
