LESSONS LEARNED FROM REMOTE WORKING

By Heidi Otway, President + Partner

Working remotely has been a new experience for the team at SalterMitchell PR and unless you're a freelancer, it’s likely new to you too. After more than eight weeks of remote work, our leaders have compiled some of their greatest lessons learned.

“I’ve learned that I have to set limits on my work time and create my own wrap-up ritual to the workday. We are juggling a lot of balls during this time and with no obvious “cues” like people leaving for lunch or leaving the office at the end of the day, in the first few weeks I had no boundaries on my work time. I would look up and realize it was 8:00 pm and I was still working. I found myself getting irritable and depressed. Now, I focus on an end time, usually 6:30, and plan a walk or a small project in my garden, or anything that gets me outside and away from my computer. I’ve always worked here and there at night checking emails and continuing to do that, but setting a clear “wrap-up” time has been important for my mental health and I'm continuing to do that.” - April Salter, Founder and CEO

“Working from home with two toddlers is no walk in the park. My day is filled with client calls, coordinating work schedules with my husband (who is also working from home), changing diapers, and kissing owies. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be honest with myself and what is actually feasible in a single day. This is by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I’m managing.” – Rachel Pratt, Director of Public Relations

“I am a creature of habit and a lover of routine. When I'm in the office, I'm in the zone. I'm fueled by my workspace, my colleagues, and the Tayst coffee pods stocked in the kitchen. When I began working from home, I assumed I could continue to follow my normal work schedule. I quickly realized that is not the case. I've learned how important it is to take a break, regroup and resume work once I'm feeling more motivated. Without feeling guilty about it. This experience has shown me how to respond to my mental and emotional needs throughout the day, as opposed to trying to direct them by sticking to a (now outdated) work routine.” – Lauren Toner, Marketing Specialist

“Being able to work all day into the night at home was cool until I hit a mental and emotional wall the third week. It took me two days to recover. I quickly realized that I had to set boundaries. My solution was to start a vegetable garden in my backyard. Taking care of my garden is similar to managing our agency and clients. I’m taking care of them, strategizing and problem-solving if there’s an issue, and focusing on each plant’s growth and production. I find myself going outside between Zoom and team calls to check on my garden. It’s so rewarding to see my plants grow and I can’t wait to see the tomatoes, cucumbers, and blueberries sprout. My backyard garden is more than a boundary. It’s my retreat and my special place.” - Heidi Otway, President and Partner 

WHO’S FLUENT IN FLORIDIAN THIS WEEK 

In the newest episode of Fluent in Floridian, Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) President and CEO Frank Rudd discusses how FSAE is continuing to support its members during COVID-19. 

With more than 25 years of experience in the association industry, it's no surprise that Rudd was selected to lead FSAE. Since 2014, Rudd has helped teach other associations how to better serve their members by facilitating collaboration among association management professionals through networking, educational events, online communities, and best-practice resources.

Tune in to hear more about Tallahassee native Frank Rudd and how FSAE is guiding associations through this pandemic by facilitating important conversations, connecting professionals experiencing the same challenges, and sharing best practices on how to survive and thrive.

The Fluent in Floridian Podcast features the Sunshine State’s brightest leaders talking about the issues most important to the people of Florida and its more than 100 million yearly visitors. Subscribe and listen today on iTunes, Google Play Music and Spotify.

This week, we lost fellow Floridian and legendary Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula. Tributes poured in from all over the world for the winningest coach in NFL history. The Palm Beach Post has found a way to honor the legend and helps us recall his greatest accomplishments on the gridiron. For all the Shula fans out there, take this test to see how well you know this unforgettable coach.

ABOUT SALTERMITCHELL PR  

SalterMitchell PR is an award-winning agency that provides strategic insight and guidance to organizations seeking to make an impact in the nation's third-most populous state. We are fluent in Floridian. We understand the communities, change-makers and challenges that drive the Sunshine State, and we put our insights and influence to work on behalf of our clients. 

We work with corporations, associations, state agencies, municipalities, public and private institutions, and nonprofits. They rely on us to help them establish and protect their reputation, manage issues, shape public opinion, tell their stories, build relationships, and advocate for change. We focus on maximizing support, minimizing opposition and helping good causes win in Florida. 

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