Adapting to Remote Work-Life Balance
Dr. Henry D. McCormack, DM
Remote Work-Life work balance is not a new issue. What we are witnessing is the last of the organizations, teams and workers to finally adapt and update technology. The online universe and remote work was here already for many of us. How companies are adapting during Covid-19 is the "new". Helping organizations develop and adapt is key to keeping leadership and transition for the work-life balance as part of the future hybrid workforce.
According to a study by, Adriana Dahik, Deborah Lovich, Caroline Kreafle, Allison Bailey, Julie Kilmann, Derek Kennedy, Prateek Roongta, Felix Schuler, Leo Tomlin, and John Wenstrup "Our survey found the pandemic has forced employers to move an unprecedented share of employees—some 40%—to remote working. And for those still onsite, social distancing and collaborating remotely with colleagues have transformed the workplace experience"
I've been working on and off remotely since the late 90's. With technology this affordable and accessible, this becomes inevitable for some Companies to "downsize" reduce space and overhead. Having the technology available to produce the same level of quality that I can do at an office is key to my survival.
Work has been outsourced, done remotely and online schools have been around for decades. Online and remote networks are already the digital Infrastructure. The real question will be - will late companies and employees be able adapt to what was already changing technology in the workplace.
Now that the work is able to be done by anyone anywhere will these same companies hold on to skilled paid workers or outsource to anyone with a computer that can do the job from Home. "Shifts in the way we work are likely to continue as employers move a growing portion of their employees to more flexible models. In fact, BCG’s recent Workplace of the Future employer survey found that companies expect about 40% of their employees to follow a remote-working model in the future."
Being a remote worker and owning businesses that performs from a remote office is different than going into work. - It's much harder. Now that many have had no choice its time to realize the work/life time balance as well. Having a location and a place to work often can make the difference between working and going crazy. Having a place to work that separates you from the home can offer that balance. If thats difficult then make sure there is a place to relocate and do other activities. Separation from the work and having a schedule is one of many ways to get through a work day.
Being used to working at a computer for many hours is often the requirement for most remote workers. take walks, get up, interact with everyone in the house, talk to neighbors, engage with family. I leave door open and invite anyone to sit with me while I work, only closing doors for meetings. unless i have to really focus or concentrate its fine to have other distractions. same as work. "This crisis has presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvent the workplace. Things that might once have seemed impossible have proved surprisingly workable. With collaborative productivity essential to innovation, the changes will enable companies to become more competitive. And given employee desires for flexibility, the changes will also allow companies to recruit and retain the best talent."
Time management.
This is one aspect that remote workers have to understand, especially with remote teams in different time zones.
The day must have a start and and end. Clock in and clock out for lunch, get up, walk away, go sit down, take a breather, eat, relax, read, take a walk or work out. Same as always, walk away from work and take a break.
The more of a time management routine you have the less stressful it is to know your day does end and you will have a normal life. sure you can go back to work if you're obligated or feel a desire, but then that is because you're positively motivated, or financially obligated i.e. client is calling at 8pm.
If you day starts at 9am- lunch at 12:30, break at 3:45- done at 6pm, well that is normal and if you begin your day at 6am, eat breakfast, workout, mediate relax get kids off to school listen to news , whatever... you live a normal routine, and lets other know the routine. day ends, workout eat dinner with family, help with homework, get kids ready for school, watch tv, go to bed, or do whatever you do after hours. Your work time is work time- the rest is normal.
The discipline and responsibility is intense and you always have to be on point, so you're not judged for working from home or in a nice remote office.
The pay off is you remain active and working. Focus is on balance and scheduled routine. separate work from personal life, integrate with family for inclusion.
Manage time, and take care of your health. work on personal projects and allocate time to relax and be with family and friends separate from work. However, allow the time to focus on work and make the time productive.
This is good news as we adapt to a new future of worker, "the good news is that companies have already been investing heavily in the tools needed to work remotely. In our Workplace of the Future survey, 87% of employers said they anticipate prioritizing tech and digital infrastructure investments that support sustained remote work." The goal for many organizations is to develop leadership and teams that adapt to remote work quickly communicate well and train efficiently, and allow for full open transformation of what is considered hybrid.
Many organizations will be surprised at the level of productivity once people are free to work on their own schedule, as along as the work is done and the team is efficient, healthy and happy.
#creativeleadership #remoteworker #leadershipdevelopment #freelancework #freelancer #independentcontractor #independant
credit:
What 12,000 Employees Have to Say About the Future of Remote Work, AUGUST 11, 2020, By Adriana Dahik, Deborah Lovich, Caroline Kreafle, Allison Bailey, Julie Kilmann, Derek Kennedy, Prateek Roongta, Felix Schuler, Leo Tomlin, and John Wenstrup, https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2020/valuable-productivity-gains-covid-19.
How COVID is Reshaping the Race for Talent, 23 JUNE 2020 , By Chris Mattey, Christoph Hilberath, Nicole Sibilio, Jasmine Aurora, and Hermann Ruiz https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2020/valuable-productivity-gains-covid-19
photo credits: Peter Olexa - https://www.pexels.com/@peter-olexa-2214257, https://www.pexels.com/@nappy, https://www.pexels.com/@elly-fairytale, https://www.pexels.com/@jack-sparrow, https://www.pexels.com/@vlada-karpovich