Lessons from My WFH Co-Worker

Since COVID-19 hit, we've all been working from home with our significant others, children, and last, but not least, pets.

My co-working space has ranged from coffee shops, our van out in the middle of the mountains somewhere, and at desks borrowed from friends and family. But my number one, always there for me, co-worker has taught me a lot about what it means to be my best self every day whether I'm grinding away at work or taking a break out by the pool.

Let's meet her!

Rory is a 5-6 year old Catahoula Leopard Dog and Lab mix that I adopted 3 years ago. She is well mannered, loves a good romp outside, and doesn't allow any lizards into her yard without a good chasing.

But that's besides the point. This dog is attached at my hip no matter where I work. At coffee shops (we always sit outdoors), she sits idly by passing the time on her leash next to me. In the van, you can usually find her wandering just outside the van looking for her next "friend" or with her head in my lap and on my laptop, which isn't always conducive to work. At home, she is deeply depressed about not being outside with the van doors open for her next adventure so she mopes at my feet or in her assistant's chair shown above.

But it's time for the good stuff!

Here's what I've learned from my co-worker, Rory, over the last few months.

Breaks are needed.

Taking a break for a quick nap, a little bit of YouTube watching, or phone scrolling is important. I do my best to get away from the screens during breaks to keep my eyes from hurting, but whatever you need to do to take a break, do it. It's so necessary to keep your day moving forward while staying productive.

Thinking too much isn't a good thing.

We all know this, but Rory knows it even more than I thought she did.

Sometimes you can catch Rory in her overthinking mode when she's sitting like this. She also gets very depressed when she doesn't have enough outdoors time, which is another thing to keep in mind, too.

Either way, overthinking every Slack, email, idea, or question doesn't help you get where you need to go. Just ask Rory. She doesn't always get to go outside after her overthinking moments either.

Not every work day is a good one.

Rory has taught me that no matter how hard I try to make every day a good one, there will always be days where I wonder if I got anything done other than taking photos of my dog. (Well, maybe that's my own problem, but still.)

There will be days at work that you don't show up like you should. There will be days at work where everything on your to-do list gets thrown to the window to take care of a fire somewhere else. There will be days where you just plain don't have the mental capacity to carry on as normal, functioning human being.

I get it. Rory gets it. Let's normalize this.

Work can be hard, but it's always worth it.

Just like not every day is a good, there will be days when the work is so hard you want to quit. But if you're anything like me and Rory, you know that the toughest tasks, hikes, and work lead to some pretty amazing results.

Side note: I will say that Rory accomplishes hard tasks faster than I do like falling asleep instantly, hiking 6,000+ feet in elevation gain, and swallowing treats whole.

The key to your best work is to have fun!

I know, I know. Erin, you are so lame. The key to your best work is to have fun?

Yep. It's true. I didn't always think that my best work came to me when having fun and letting loose, but it does.

Taking the time to laugh, innovate, and create new ways to have fun in your job (even if your job tasks are menial), makes all the difference. If you can't have any fun, laugh at yourself and your coworkers, and bring joy to your clients and teammates, then what's the point?

Rory has taught me many more things in my life, but she is a great business and career mentor, too. *Insert plug for Rory's Business Coaching & Mentoring Service, all for the low fee of "Treats Plz."* Don't take yourself too seriously, even on these apps that make us look way more professional than any human can be, and do the work that matters most.

So if you're out there grinding away to put a roof over your dog's head like me, just know that some inspiration and motivation lies just at your feet and it has four paws.