Broken or breaking point?

People often say to me that they need a new challenge.

Sometimes, this is a smokescreen for, 'I'm not hitting it off with my employer'.

Work has woven itself into home and home into work.

A lack of trust was one of the main reasons for not allowing home working.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of finding someone to work-from-home for a North West client. It was a Land role.

The appeal of working from home was one of the main driving factors for this person to leave their employer for new beginnings.

As far as I know, she is still happy in her role and loving the freedom.

Now we don't have much choice but to work remotely wherever possible, certainly, for the next few years.

The world of work has changed immeasurably, with some coping better than others.

It has always been important to feel part of a team, a sense of belonging. Now more than ever before, the isolation, video meetings and the way of life has interrupted social interaction to such an extent that people feel inadequate. A fear that they are not doing enough or being seen as busy individuals in a conventional office setting.

For 18 years of self-employment, I have juggled home-working with home-life.

Present restrictions aside, it's not for everyone.

In my recent sample survey, 50% of respondents are not coping very well at all with home working.

I wouldn't say I like the expression 'imposter syndrome', but this is becoming a problem for some.

For those unfamiliar with the term, here is the definition;

Imposter Syndrome refers to an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. While this definition is usually narrowly applied to intelligence and achievement, it has links to perfectionism and the social context.

STOP - believing that you are not coping - start realising that we are all in the same boat to some degree.

A call from a highly competent Sales Director, whom I'd employ at the drop of a hat, feels the imposter syndrome creeping in. "Don't be ridiculous; you're in my top 7 in the country."

If it can happen to some of the most competent people, it can happen to anyone.

My advice is always the same. Has your value changed because of your working situation?

Are you worth more or less, based upon your experience of being a year older and wiser?

If other people are finding this period of time difficult to cope with, it might be that they are venting their frustrations, and you're feeling it.

Empathy. See things from everyone's perspective, not just your own.

Compartmentalise your world. Bring in what Charles Handy would call 'a proper selfishness'. In his world, this would mean spending time focussing on what's important to you at the time, away from distractions.

Diaries are becoming full of meetings in some cases. Make sure you have breathing space because you won't focus or digest anything if everything becomes a blur.

Make others do the same wherever possible. Don't book meetings at 8 am when the kids need to get off to school. If you need to be on screen at a certain time, get out of bed earlier, go to bed later. Make your day fit around you as best that you can.

Quality interactions will always win over just being present on screen.

Focus. Learn to focus, be disciplined, don't be distracted. Sit in the car if necessary.

If all else fails and you really are sick and tired of the people around you, call me.

The grass is rarely greener, but sometimes it might just be worth a look.