15 Tips how STAR Leaders are Working From Home

From Google to Facebook and Amazon to consulting firms around the globe are telling staff to work from home in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19. As companies transition to the new normal, it is important to acknowledge that many leaders are expected to be available 24x7, which was not the case earlier. This is cutting into personal time as well as leading to a sense of frustration. Leaders have to realize that it is a myth to be 100% available and 100% committed to working during work from home (WFH).

15 things that leaders can do as they work from home (WFH) to create a healthy boundary between work life and personal life.

1.           Every morning get into your “office gear”. And once your work is done change into casuals and ensure that you do not take calls or check work emails in that gear.

2.           Create an office zone. It could be a certain room, or a dedicated office space in your room. And anything beyond this is a no-phone zone. So put your phone on silent and give yourself time to relax mentally.

3.           Daily set your work goals. This will help you leave each workday with a feeling of achievement

4.           Keep an alarm for every 60 minutes. Work in bite-sized blocks of 60 minutes. Thereafter stretch and walk around your home for 5 minutes to maintain productivity.

5.           During this short 5 minutes break, hang out in the balcony or by the window to get some sunlight and fresh air.

6.           Play some peppy or happy music in the background to make your work from home (WFH) a positive experience.

7.           Do not short-change yourself during lunch breaks. Use apps like TimeOut (Mac) and Smart Break (Windows), to lock yourself out of your PC for those 60 minutes of break.

8.           In case, your work assignment is collaborative, ensure that you and your colleagues are on the same schedule to make coordination easier.

9.           Mini breaks during working hours is an official break, so feel confident to not answer calls during the period.

10.        Over communicate by telling everyone who needs to know about your schedule and availability. When you finish a project or important assignment, communicate enough that you do not have to repeat yourself.

11.        When you were traveling to and from work, the commute was creating a buffer to transition into and out of work. Similarly, create some transitions that will hint at the end of work and act as a buffer.

12.        Create a stringent outline between work and family time. Be assertive to block off time in your schedule as a family or playtime. Also let your team know you will not be available for these times.

13.        Switch off your data connection during family hours.

14.        Ensure you separate work from play. Your playtime is a dedicated time when you let go and have fun.

15.        Do something you are interested in your personal time. Or else you will be tempted to check your phone for office mails and messages.

Summary: Leaders have to become mindful and cut themselves some slack as they get adjusted to this new normal of work from home (WFH). Yes, it is overwhelming for them, but they have to take care of themselves emotionally and mentally, so that they can be available for their team and organization. You are in charge of your environment and have to treat yourself with respect. Also, learn from this current pandemic experience, see the positives, and become more resilient.

Comments: Yes you are dedicated to your job and always on call but is this high intensity workload a new normal? Please share how you avoid work from home (WFH) affecting your productivity and performance. I love learning from my readers. #BeTheStar

Author: Coach Vikram is a Star maker! He creates that Star leader in you so that you develop powerful executive presence, stand out, and build market dominance! Leaders in Asia and Europe have moved into senior management roles and cracked million dollar deals using Vikram’s innovative model of executive presence which is designed around: Behaviors of Focus, Power, and Warmth. Visit him at www.CoachVikram.com