A New Perhaps Unwanted Normal for Now!

It is definitely a different kind of normal when schools, offices, gyms, churches, businesses and restaurants are closed indefinitely. The last few weeks have thrown all of us collectively into a new, perhaps unwanted normal at least for the moment. For most, gone are the days of waking up early to rush to catch the train or get into the car to get to work. Also, the days of visiting relatives and friends or going out to dinner. Even watching sports has been removed from our routine. Staying indoors except on occasion has meant consistent time with children, loved ones and pets if you have any. Some people are catching up with television shows and movies they never had time to watch escaping the daily news on the COVID19 which has taken over the airwaves. Others play cards, entertain themselves with their mobile devices and/or read a book they have been putting off. But there are those considered essential personnel that brave the times heading into work each day to keep the rest of us safe. They have our deep appreciation.

 Perhaps the most challenging is that many have found themselves having to work from home which to be effective requires planning and structure. A new experience for some and perhaps a gift for others. I have seen many postings on social media from people trying to figure out how to organize themselves and/or how to manage watching their children that are home from schools while attempting to get work done. I am here to tell you, you can do this, but it will not be free of challenges!

 I have had the luxury of working from home successfully for several decades since I opened my consulting firm, MTR Consulting Services, in 2004. There are a few tips I can share from my experience:

 1.     Create Structure for Yourself

a.     Workspace: Make sure you have a desk or table where you will be working from free of distractions if possible.

b.     Technology: Make sure that you have a computer or laptop, phone, and internet access working properly. Your workplace may require particular software to be installed and a connection for you to access work files.

c.     Office Supplies: Having a printer makes a difference; also get yourself the simple things i.e. paper, notepads, pens, pencils

d.     Time Management: Set a workday start time and end time; set time to respond to emails and calls; set a time for lunch and breaks.

e.     Oversight: Make sure your supervisor or overseer knows how you are structured to get the work done from home. Make sure you understand the expectations clearly. Be candid about your limitations and how you will overcome them.

f.      Communication with colleagues: Alert your colleagues about how you are structured to work from home and share best times to communicate and check in. Be clear about how best to connect as the need arises.

2.     Align your Mindset

a.     Create a routine

                                               i.     Dress for work even if it’s more casual dress then for the office; don’t stay in your pjs all day though it’s tempting

                                             ii.     Wake up at your regular work time; keep your morning routine

                                           iii.     Set your work schedule and stick to it

                                            iv.     Don’t let work take over your personal time; it is easy to let work slip into our personal time and vice versa. It is best to keep the separate to ensure fidelity to both the professional and the personal.

b.     Avoid interruptions: Let people know your hours of work

c.     Take a lunch break and an afternoon break if you are work an 8-hour day.

d.     Avoid doing housework during your scheduled work hours; it is tempting to put in a load of laundry, don’t do it—unless you are doing it early morning before your work hours begin or when you take your lunch break. It is easy to get distracted; success depends on how well you can focus and organize yourself.

3.     Keep Yourself Accountable

a.     Check in with your supervisor at least weekly; ask how often your supervisor wants to check in with you.

b.     Check in with your colleagues weekly; communication enhances productivity.

c.     Keep track of your work hours

d.     Keep a record of your activities

 4.     For Those with Children at Home

a.     Organize a family meeting and enlist support. Talk to your family about the plan for working at home including how you plan to structure your workspace and work hours.

b.     If your spouse or partner is also working from home give yourselves some space; perhaps set up in two different rooms; and make an agreement on who responds to the children’s needs when necessary; perhaps you take turns.

c.     Talk to the children ahead of time; let them know what is happening; set some ground rules at the children’s age level. Children may be used to interrupting you at all different times while at home, emphasize the difference of having to work from home; it is important to set boundaries and clear expectations. Children do well when they have structure and know what to expect. Ask the children if they have ideas for how best to organize the family for this new experience. Ask them if they have any worries you should address.

d.     Set a schedule for the children; try to keep things consistent with their normal routine; it is important for them to know what to expect and what not to expect.

e.     Schedule your lunch break with the children; have lunches prepared the night before to avoid having to spend too much time preparing food while you are trying to work.

f.      Make sure you have activities that are safe and entertain the children according to their age group

                                               i.     Age appropriate Toys, Books, Puzzles

                                             ii.     iPad, Arts and Crafts Materials, Crayons, Markers, Paper

                                           iii.     Keep babies safe in their playpen or bassinet near you

                                            iv.     If there is room identify a space where the children can spend their time; give them individual activity time if you have more than one child.

g.     Make sure you have snacks and drinks available for the children that are easy to grab; kids get hungry and need snacks. Consider setting up a basket with snacks the children can easily access and let them know when it is okay to grab a snack.

h.     Above all plan each night for the next day.

I am sure you have other tips to share from your experiences; in this new perhaps unwanted normal sharing our experiences will add to our collective success.

“There are no negatives in life, only challenges to overcome that will make you stronger.”___Eric Bates