Business As “YOU”sual

4 strategies to boost personal and professional motivation during the COVID-19 shutdown  

During times of uncertainty, it’s so easy to disengage.  To wrap up in a blanket and aimlessly flip through tv channels on the sofa. In our current state of social distancing, it’s vital that the workforce continues to push forward in the approach of “Business as Usual”. What does “Business as Usual” mean for you? For me, it’s a measurable effort of continuing momentum in serving my clients, while actively pursuing my personal and professional goals. 

Personally, I signed up months ago to run the Carmel 10k race and the Indianapolis 500 mini-marathon. Though the races have been postponed, I’m still running. Professionally, my recruitment searches are still underway and my clients need my help in continuing in their remote BAU.  

How does one stay motivated in a time like this? I’ve been working from home a few days a week for the last 7 years; I like taking a break from the office setting and switching up my routine. With that being said, how do we get into the routine of staying home every day as a mandate? No coffeeshop work. No social gatherings. Nothing but the walls of your home. As we adjust to this new definition of normal, I’ve found that these 4 tips helped me adjust to BAU:   

1. Keep to your routine

Coffee in the AM? Dog walk during lunch? Stay on top of the routine to stay mentally and physically active. If you normally work an office setting, you’ve likely developed an “office rhythm”. On a regular day, you grab coffee at 8am and start diving into those emails from last night. At home- this shouldn’t be any different. Every morning I get up around 5:45, walk the dog to wake myself up, pour my first cup of coffee, and catch up on local news before I shower and get ready for a day of virtual meetings. Now that we’ve had a few weeks of working from home full-time, you’ll be able to identify the components of your daily routine and stick to it!  

In the spirit of physical activity, I’ve found that even through social distancing there are many ways to stay active outside of the gym, rain or shine! Apps like Nike and Peloton are offering free fitness trials, and many local and national fitness boutiques are offering free classes on Facebook and Instagram Live, featuring videos of trainers at all levels of difficulty, from yoga and mindfulness to intense cardio blasting workouts like Shred 415.  

2. Build an agenda with Time Blocking 

What is the Time Blocking Method? Jory MacKay, author of the blog Rescue Time, describes it as such: Time blocking is the practice of planning out every moment of your day in advance and dedicating specific time “blocks” for certain tasks and responsibilities.  

Setting an agenda can be extremely important to keep your mind and body moving. It also ensures you do not get stuck on one item for far too long. As an Executive Recruiter I always have a deadline approaching—the next chess move to play.  I find when I set time blocks on my calendar (like an hour or two devoted to sourcing candidates) it holds me accountable to my work, and more important my client. Working independently should lead to a lot of agenda setting. Some of the world’s most influential and successful people, like Elon Musk and Bill Gates, for example, use the method of Time Blocking.  

3. Schedule video meetings with colleagues 

At my company, Medallion Partners, we are in the midst of social distancing while continuing to prioritize human interaction. Sure, I am home with my husband that is also working remotely, and our beloved 14-pound Poodle Terrier, Peter, but it is important to SEE those in your close networks beyond your family. It is important for you personally, and for your business (and when I say see, I mean via video). Forbes published an article on why we need to be engaging in video conferencing, and I completely agree! Forbes noted that conferencing is more engaging, it’s more efficient, provides better communication, it keeps dispersed teams aligned and connected, and it enables increased productivity! Think of how many more nonverbal social cues we pick up when can see the person speaking, versus a phone call. In another article, Entrepreneur stated that 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. Thus, communication via video is far more effective than a call or simple email.  

Everything else aside, you are more likely to laugh and smile amongst colleagues over video than a call. Didn’t mom say laughter is the best medicine? Someone said it, and I agree with it.  

4. Set boundaries:  

No matter whether you’re in the office or if you’re working from, home, setting boundaries can be difficult to do. As a 30-something, recently married female, I tend to put work before all else. My husband and I have not started a family yet, and it makes it easier for me to get caught up in the “grind”. I love what I do, and that makes it easier to answer a call or email after 8pm. Recently during the COVID19 lockup,  I started reading Brené Brown’s: Daring Greatly and it has taught me so much around setting boundaries to help minimize anxiety. At a time like this, I can see how necessary the concept of boundary setting is. I decided to turn off my email alerts at 9pm, and I’ve found it to be satisfying in so many ways. We all keep talking about receiving this gift of “time”, and it is true. Time is valuable. We should make the time to unwind—turn off social media, mute the phone alerts, and live in the moment. For me, this has meant reading, puzzles and wine on a Friday, and cooking family meals together with our pup at our feet.  

Let’s all take this time to brush up on ourselves and our skills independently, while also reconnecting with our spouses and loved ones so that when life returns to “normal”, we’ve fine-tuned the habits that are necessary for personal and professional success. 

References:  

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200312-coronavirus-covid-19-update-work-from-home-in-a-pandemic 

https://blog.rescuetime.com/time-blocking-101/ 

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/296590