How will I remember 2020?
Reflecting on 2020...
It has been a challenge so far – and it’s not getting any easier - but I have been reflecting on the lessons learned in 2020, and how it’s changed me as a person – both personally and professionally.
1 – The Virtual Team Dynamic
It’s just as possible to build solid working relationships via tech and not in person.
Our team has appeared to get closer and more unified in 2020 than previously. We’ve spent more time talking and been more honest, and had more of an insight into people’s lives. Most of us have only seen each other a handful of times in person within the last 6 months but we’ve communicated over MS Teams, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp more often than we ever did. In times of uncertainty we have communicated more, become more candid with one another and ultimately grown closer.
While we used to hear about our colleagues’ home life - their wives, husbands, children, pets - in 2020, we have been able to virtually meet them. Whether it’s saying a brief hello as a 4-year-old bounces past, hearing the dog bark in the background and having them brought on to the screen, or including our colleague’s family members in miscellaneous debates; having these small experiences, whilst having weekly catch ups with teams, has made it a more joyful time.
We have learnt more about our colleagues’ daily routines, seen inside and outside their homes, and understood their family ties. Above all, we have learnt to be more open. Often in our pre-covid exist we were always “Ok” or “alright” in the fleeting interactions we had. Now that our personal health and wellbeing is in the spotlight, we have been checking in on how we really are. Even if it’s just to say, “Finding this week a bit tough because of x, y and z.”.
It has been imperative for us to be more honest about the way we feel, during lockdown and beyond. Without this honesty, I would have struggled to be as productive as I have been. I am a strong believer in the notion that, if one is comfortable in their home setting, we are far more likely to be highly productive.
2 – Structure is Vital
2020 has been quite an unpredictable year, and in a world that has become quite uncertain, I’ve discovered that I need a foundation of structure in my life. Similar preferences have been reported back by colleagues.
While I am by my own admission, someone that enjoys change and spontaneity, I do need some sort of structure in order to achieve maximum results at work. I tend to get up at the same time, eat, exercise, on a schedule. Since we went into lockdown, I’ve found these structures comforting and whilst I enjoy variance, I require consistency of approach to the best of myself.
Shock horror, give me a 6am start any (and every) day of the week. I’m more focussed, sharper and effective in the mornings. I like to power through written tasks which require concentration early morning.
Amongst our team there is a general consensus that structure plays an important role in keeping us sane. Whether that means starting later in order to see the kids off to school, or taking an extended break over lunch to go for a bike ride – we’ve established our own individual working patterns which suit our lifestyles and schedules.
3 - Mind & Body
Protecting your mental/physical health and wellbeing is paramount. During lockdown I reignited my love for walking and exploring, experiencing places on my doorstep I had never experienced before. When we were allowed an hour outside each day, I made full use of it, and it made such a difference to my mood.
With the gyms closed for so long, I had to get creative with my home workouts, and train myself to show up for them. Aside from HIIT workouts in the garden via Zoom, we set up a 100k running club whatsapp group with a number of people in the company. We challenged each other to hit 100 km in a month, sending updates and providing virtual encouragement – plus collaborated on a great running playlist.
Just going out for that hour of walking, breathing in fresh air and having some time away from my desk makes all the difference to my day. I have utilised this rekindled love for the outdoors whenever I need to think, or just to clear my head. The South Downs have become a friend and an ally in my battle against the rigid confines of my house.
4 – Living Space is Important
In a pre-COVID society, I had been guilty of not fully appreciating where I live and simply using the house as a base for all of my extra-curricular activities, such as; socialising, travelling and sports.
I realised that, when you spend all your time in the home, where you live really is important. The space in which you surround yourself, much like the people you surround yourself with, affects your mood more than you care to realise. A change of scenery can do a lot for your mental health, a way of challenging the mind to get comfortable in the new environment or indeed work out where you are. Having more time in the home, we were able to catch up on some DIY, clear out my wardrobe of unwanted clothing and bring our garden back to full glory where it had once slipped.
The home/work divide has been established within the house – we are fortunate enough to be able to carve out a separate space for working, and for living – so that when work is finished, it can be left at the door. It’s important to wind down and enjoy our non-working time.
5 - An importance to be kind
Back in March, I decided to sign up to the NHS Responder app. Like many people at the start of the lockdown, I felt a strong sense of community and comradery and in a difficult time, wanted to help in any way I could. The app makes it possible to volunteer in all kinds of ways for whoever might need support. In the space of a few weeks during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, the UK gained over 1 million social volunteers, with supply surpassing demand. There was a real sense of people coming together to look out for one another.
Upon a couple of occasions, I made phone calls to vulnerable/elderly members of my local community to ensure their safety and whilst they were alone, make sure they had everything they needed to go about their daily life in as normal way as possible. Many of my colleagues have done similar things; from delivering food shopping and PPE, to making medical scrubs at home for the NHS – the number of positive stories I’ve heard have been uplifting and heart-warming.
Having worked in recruitment for a number of years, I’m very comfortable speaking to new people, but I felt that I was able to apply my skills in this department in a useful and wholesome way, and I would like to think I helped someone be at ease even if it was for that one day.
6 - Striking the balance is important
If you’ve made it this far, you could be forgiven for assuming I am quite happy never to work in the office ever again. But like everything in life, it requires a subtle balance in order to get it right.
Months on end of being “stuck” working from home definitely had an impact. When we began cautiously returning to the office one day a week, there was a widespread reported boost in everyone’s mood. Having that face to face time is crucially important to share ideas, connect, and communicate. Although I’m not an advocate of going back to the office 5 days a week, I believe it’s vitally important to have variety, or we would go stir crazy.
Ultimately I believe that 2 or 3 days a week in the office is the sweet spot. It may not be the same for everyone, but for me, it’s the perfect amount of time to arrange face to face meetings, catch up with my team, and visit clients. Getting this balance right will be the major factor in the success of businesses once we are able to return to normality in the future. Embrace the change, embrace what we have learnt but make the effort to see your colleagues in person, in the office. Its all about the right balance.
Reflecting upon all the things I have learnt, liked and enjoyed this year, I am the first to admit it has been tough. The challenges we have faced since the beginning of the year have the power to shape our future significantly. I will keep striving to learn more, be kind, and try and see the good where I can.