7 Ways I’ve Adjusted to WFH
Hello, fellow work-from-homers!
Now that most of us have been in some form of “professional quarantine” for over two months now, how are you holding up?
Miss the office? I sure do! Most of all I miss my co-workers.
But I’ve also adjusted pretty well to this new life, and I hope you have too.
When my team shifted to a remote environment, we talked about how this would be a challenging time on many fronts. We affirmed our commitment to be patient, kind and efficient for our clients, while recognizing that we must come together and be part of the solution.
Frankly, what we pulled off here at FIS — moving 95% of our workforce to home in six weeks — was amazing. You can read all about it in Forbes.
Looking back, here are seven things that have worked for me:
1) Getting my technology in order. I had to make sure I had the tools at home to help me work the most effectively. Sure, I’ve worked plenty from home over the years, but it’s been at night or on the weekends. Working full time from home required that I have more than just my laptop. I was able to bring a monitor, full-sized keyboard, mouse, puck speaker and video camera from the office.
2) Continuing my routine. I have continued to wake up at the same time every day, even though I’ve been tempted to sleep in a little, given I no longer have a commute. Truth be told, I have not dressed like I’m going to the office. Shorts, T-shirts and an occasional caftan have made up my work wardrobe.
3) Picking a spot. I created two dedicated “office” spaces at home, and this has really helped me disengage at the end of the day. One is outside on our back porch and one is in an extra room in our home.
4) Thinking about lighting. I really thrive in natural light, so I sit next to a window inside or sometimes outside. I make sure that people can see me well on video, as we use that a lot. I don’t want to make it hard for people to see me due to backlighting.
5) Using a surge protector. Believe it or not, this has come in really handy already. I live in Florida, lightning capital of the world, and my surge protector has been a lifesaver protecting my electronics from sudden spikes in my home’s electric system.
6) Eating well. Sugar highs and endless snacking can lead me to some big lows and extra pounds! I’ve been very focused on eating well and having lunch at the same time every day. What I eat can impact my mood and energy levels. I didn’t start out doing a very good job at this but am doing much better, as I’ve made healthier decisions.
7) Wearing headphones. At any given time, there are six people at my home and three dogs. I have to eliminate distractions, and I’ve found that noise-canceling, over-ear headphones really work well for me.
Closing Thought
Working from home during this time is not really what I planned, but I’m making the most of it and giving myself a dose of extra kindness and patience. I would love to hear what is working for you.
Stay safe and healthy!
Enterprise Program Manager at FIS
4 年I love the dose of extra kindness and patience I have received and have been trying to give to co-workers and clients during these times. Hope it continues beyond the pandemic!
SVP, Director of Payment Operations
4 年These are great! Thanks Teri! I would also say making sure you take regular breaks. In a working from home environment you can find yourself never getting away from your desk because everything is so close - including your kitchen. Take time to regroup and reset. Remember collaboration with your colleagues is still important. Take time for both yourself and remember to continue to establish bonds with your colleagues!
Tere- thanks for the tips! I agree the routine is most important. We have a home gym which helps with the daily workout routine, which I find so important for staying energized! Taking the dog for quick walks helps with a little mental health break too.
Enterprise and Information Architect
4 年Thanks Tere for sharing. I went remote about 3 years ago and I certainly had to do some adjustments. Although I miss seeing my co/workers but I was amazed by using the right tools and the available technology how more efficient we can work. At first, I found we don’t realize how to allocate the time properly. Like how easy it is to work 12 to 18 hrs a day. But as you indicated we have to treat it like we are in the office. We are also a global company and work across all time zones and it’s easy to lose track. I established special work area away from my busy traffic area of the house. Setup the proper monitor and desk equipment. Get up and walk or work standing up. I’m a runner so in the winner I run at lunch time and make sure everyone knows I’m not available. In the summer its early morning or late afternoon runs. Set the time to log off and go offline. Unless for work emergencies. I have talked to several co-workers that are experiencing the long hours and have been advising them how to avoid the burn out. The great thing about working from home is u can be flexible. Manage life and work easily. I am so proud and lucky to be part of FIS that gives all of us the safety as well as the opportunity to do this.
VP, Global Sales Performance | Change Agent | I&D Advocate
4 年Love this