Since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, millions of Americans have seen their work shift from daily commutes to the office to working remotely from home, several doing so for the first time. This article aims to offer advice for workers seeking to optimize their workdays, while also maintaining a steady work-life balance.
Introduction
The advancement of online working, communication and collaboration tools has provided the opportunity for many businesses to continue operations among their employees, albeit in a much different manner. The shift to remote work is bringing (in some cases forcing) new attitudes and approaches in what a typical workday looks like, and how workers should go about their days.
If You Can, Create A Dedicated Workspace
Having a physical place set aside in your place of dwelling dedicated to accomplishing work can be helpful for getting yourself mentally established with the task of working, as opposed to working at a location where you conduct other activities, such as a couch or bed. Ideally, one might have a dedicated office space with a desk, however any reasonably quiet space without too many distractions (i.e. television, video game console) can help keep you focused on the tasks at hand. Moreover, a dedicated work environment may help keep you from being distracted from any children who you may have, as it sends a signal that you are “at work” and unavailable at the current moment, as opposed to working in a central area of your house/apartment.As tempting as it might feel to do otherwise, it is also generally a good idea to dress similarly to the way one would dress while going into the office; not only for the sake of keeping up appearances during video calls, but also to mentally associate yourself with going to work and to personally remind you of expectations of professionalism in what you do.
Establish a Work Schedule & Keep Your Mind Sharp
It can take quite a bit of discipline to establish a schedule when you have spent most of your days cooped-up inside. Nevertheless, setting up a schedule for yourself can help to establish a sense of structure and normalcy in your day, and can additionally help you implement a clearer work-life balance for balancing work and breaks.One technique you can try is the “Pomodoro Technique” (named after a tomato-shaped egg-timer) where one divides work into 25-minute stretches, followed by a short break. This can help make working feel like less of a slog, in addition to giving you a breather to stay sharp and focused throughout the day.Also, try getting up on your feet at least once hourly to keep your circulation steady and your mind from drifting off. While standing, try looking out of a window (if you have one) at an object 20 feet or further away for about half a minute or longer to help your eyes refocus from staring at an up-close computer monitor.
Navigating Online Communication & Collaboration Tools
Instant messaging and video calling via communication apps (such as Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams) have revolutionized intergroup communication, largely by necessity; filling the void of what was once in-person meetings and gatherings. While video calls allow workers to talk to teammates across the globe without getting up from their desks at home, there are a few things to take note of if and when you are a participant in a video call.Firstly, take an inventory of where you intend to make your call. It’s best to find somewhere with a neutral and unobtrusive background. While it may sound obvious, make sure there isn’t anything on the walls behind you that others could find potentially unprofessional and/or objectionable. This also goes if you intend using remote screen sharing, such as files or computer wallpaper, etc.As mentioned earlier, it’s generally a good idea to dress professionally while working remote, especially if you are going to be participating in a video call. Overdressing isn’t always appropriate either, as some companies and organizations have dialed down the formality of their company wardrobe during quarantine — so look to the dress of other members within your team (particularly senior level employees) as a reference for your own dressing during video calls.With the sudden rise in popularity of video calls, an increasing number of individuals are documenting “Zoom Fatigue”; sensations of weariness that can follow the intense use of video calling. Among the more psychologically taxing activities as part of video calling is being presented a wall of faces while also knowing that you are being watched. While you may not always have a choice, for shorter/less important meetings, you can consider suggesting that your team use audio/screen-only chat, or just a plain old-fashioned phone call. It’s also worth mentioning again that taking breaks away from the computer can help clear your mind and help you regain your stamina throughout the day.
Conclusion
Many businesses and organizations are still figuring out how to best adapt to working remotely, so if things feel a bit chaotic or awkward, understand that several others are feeling this way as well. When in doubt, ask your colleagues from within your organization or friends/family that you have how they are dealing with the transition to internet-mediated remote working. While the transition to remote working was a bit rushed and inelegant, several companies and workers are coming to discover new ways of approaching and conducting business.
