In a world of inspirational memes and #girlpost Instagram posts, it’s easy to forget that we all get stuck at work, or feel like we can’t find a way forward at times. Sue Unerman is the Chief Transformation Officer at MediaCom and Kathryn Jacob OBE is the Chief Executive at Pearl and Dean. Together they wrote The Glass Wall: Success Strategies For Women At Work And Businesses That Mean Business. Each week answer your work questions with pragmatic, honest advice that’s proven to work…
Question: I’m currently working from home and I am really finding it difficult. Video conference calling is no substitute for being in the office plus I miss my colleagues – even the annoying ones! Have you got any advice?
KJ: Funnily enough, Sue and I are writing this while apart. And I am missing seeing her, and vice versa. One of the big questions facing a lot of people is how you keep a work space and personal space at home effectively when the spaces have merged into one. If possible, I suggest that you have a dedicated area where you work, somewhere you can be away from when your working day has ended. This will help with the necessary mental separation as well as establishing a physical routine.
SU: Routines are very important. At the moment (and this is only a few days into the enforced working from home), I am getting dressed in work clothes rather than what I normally wear at the weekend or in the evenings. And I am putting makeup on even if there is no one to see me. I intend to keep this up, but who knows. I found myself thinking what would the Queen do? This is very unlike me to be honest, and I don’t think I have ever asked that question before, and my perhaps frivolous answer was that I am sure that she would wear her crown or tiara even if there was no one there to see her, if she was on duty! So I am saving time on the commute at the moment, but no time at all on my getting ready for work routines. Kathryn, what about people who don’t have much space at home, and are now sharing that space with others who are working from home. What do you suggest then?
Stay in touch with colleagues outside of video meetings. Have regular check-ins, the way that you might go for coffee with someone.
KJ: There are two elements to this. One is communication. For example tell your flatmates/family members the key calls and video conferences you need to make well in advance so that they can give you some space and silence, and indeed consideration for privacy at those times. None of your co-workers need to see your flatmate in their pyjamas ambling through at the background of a video call. Secondly be considerate too: while you might like to operate in a pile of paperwork or surrounded by discarded coffee cups, this might not work for people sharing your space. Bear in mind that you are sharing space communally. I also think that routine is essential, including getting out of where you live at least twice a day, for a walk, or a run.
SU: Yes, try and remember there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing: make sure you have an umbrella/hat by the front door and don’t be deterred by the rain and wind. Fresh air, and even moving in your home are so important. I am already very aware that a kitchen chair is not as good for me as an office chair, and have piled up with cushions. And I am stretching every day – the last thing you need is to get muscle cramps from sitting too long.
KJ: Hey Sue, maybe another idea is a 15-minute yoga stretch, together with some of your friendly colleagues on Teams or Zoom or FaceTime, just as you might go to the gym or a class together. Stay in touch with colleagues outside of meetings. Have regular check-ins, the way that you might go for coffee with someone. Start your day with a list of what you need to do and who you need to talk to, and give yourself mini goals and projects that want to achieve. It could be you will use the time that you are saving from your commute to finally clear out unread emails from your inbox, or to re-organise online filing. This may be something that you haven’t needed to do, or that you haven’t had the time to do, but those small achievements can be rewarding personal goals achieved. Just imagine how organised you’ll be when you finally get back to the workplace. Also, use this time to just stay in contact with those colleagues that maybe you haven’t had time to talk to much. It doesn’t have to be a big email or note, just a check-in.
SU: A call or note to say ‘how are you?’ at this time is very warming. And I totally agree that there is some great satisfaction in crossing items off a checklist (writing this with Kathryn means I can tick off an item now. Yaay.). These are unprecedented times, none of us have experienced anything like this before. In that sense, you are a pioneer. You and the rest of us are exploring how to navigate a new (hopefully temporary, but who knows) way of working. It is very important to look after yourself. I suggest just ten or fifteen minutes of daily meditation would help. You don’t have to download an app, you just need to find somewhere quiet where you can sit or lie comfortably and try and feel safe, feel relaxed and think of absolutely nothing. (There are lots of guides to this online.) Stay safe, stay well, and remember you are not alone.
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