It’s OK To Hate Working From Home, Right?

I received a scheduled call from a colleague and friend yesterday about a project we are working on.  10 minutes into our meeting and I realised that we were still making idle chit chat for much longer than normal.  As frustrating as it was for me at first (I’m very much a get-to-the-point-while-on-the-phone type of person), I was reminded of how essential ‘water cooler’ chat is in the workplace, even when we are remote working.

There are two types of employees in the world.  Those that are motivated to work from home every day, and the rest of us!  For those of us who aren’t used to it, the prospect of long-term remote working can seem daunting or even stressful.  How can I keep motivated?  Will I get too distracted?  Will the lack of social interaction drive me insane?  Managers may be thinking, how can I manage my team?  Will my time be slacking?  How can I communicate effectively?

It’s very easy to jump to a false conclusion that remote working isn’t as effective as office working (depending on the role), but for many people in this day and age, a laptop and an internet connection is all that you need.  As an improviser, we are trained to embrace uncertainty, change and challenging circumstances. Here are some practical tips and insights to get you through your day.

·      It’s going to feel weird/novel/quirky/strange/stressful at first

Pick whichever adjective suits you best.  For most, there is definitely going to be a new feeling associated with work and whatever it is, be it positive or negative, it is temporary, and it will pass.  Accepting that this is a temporary norm is important.  In Improv we are handling this every time we walk out on stage. No two scenes are the same so overtime we learn to turn the anxious feeling into a feeling of anticipation and excitement recognising that our bodies and minds don't want to harbour negativity for long. Some tips to help you do this?

·      Establish Routine

Humans crave routine.  We need some level of routine or patterns in our lives.  It differs from person to person but even the most spontaneous person will drink the same coffee every morning and have the same bedtime ritual.  This behaviour becomes key during this period of change and anxiety.  Make sure your workspace is fitting for your work environment.  (Working from your bedroom or sofa just isn’t going to cut it long term). Some other things to consider:

*   Get up every working day at the same time you normally would. If you normally have a commute use that time for something else – yoga, working out, family time, reading etc

*  Write down daily and weekly ‘To Do’ lists and goals.  No different than working in an office, you may not tick them all off every day but it does help keep you focussed and give a sense of achievement as you clear out your workload.

*   Take your breaks at the same time you normally would in the office.  Book time in your calendar during this time to video conference friends and family.  Virtual lunches and coffee breaks are becoming more popular!

*   Be careful of working late regularly just because you don’t have to a commute home.  Work life balance is still important even when we remote work.  The weekends and evenings are still yours!

·      Its ok to be feel anxiety and frustration

Most companies don’t have a long term remote working plan, so this new working approach is going to be a big change for most people.  Coupled with the economic uncertainty its perfectly normal for us to feel vulnerable and anxious.  Tap into that hive mentality.  If you feel anxious or frustrated, talk to your trusted friends, colleagues or your manager.  You’ll be surprised and relieved to hear you’re not alone. Don't suppress the negative feelings, accept them and it becomes easier to deal with them. In Improv, we use our 'Yes, and' mindset to accept the challenges and feelings we are faced with.

·      Continue your learning journey

There’s a great opportunity here to refine our communication and presenting skills as we move from an office into a virtual role.  Seek out a coach and online training workshops that can help you refine your skills further.  We all love that feeling of having learned something new and putting it in action! Improvisers, even at veteran level, are always learning and developing our skillset, it's part of our ethos.

·      Be kind to yourself

Finally and most importantly, your health above all else.  Its ok to have your pet rest by your feet while you work, its ok to eat chocolate in moderation, its ok pat yourself on the back for a work done, its ok to take comfort breaks every 90 minutes and its ok to watch YouTube cat videos to destress.  The world will keep turning, Covid-19 will come under control and the economy will recover.  Take it day by day if you have to.  We’re in this together and you’ve got this.