PRIORITIZE YOU

As an HR professional, helping organizations and people excel while dealing with personal, professional and societal challenges for more than 22 years, nothing comes close to the angst we are all experiencing in 2020.

While each of us has our own unique challenges, COVID-19, systemic racism, political polarization and an economic downturn are causing tremendous stress and anxiety for employees who are expected to continue to meet their professional commitments.

Whether working from home, returning to the workplace, or perhaps you have continued reporting to work outside your home, I constantly stress to leaders, managers and individual contributors the importance of prioritizing their personal well-being.

Without question, health and safety - yours and that of your family and friends - is the number one priority. Everything else is secondary to staying physically and mentally healthy. As many of us begin to return to the workplace, employers must continue to do everything they can to protect their employees. And, we all have a personal responsibility to wear a mask, wash hands, maintain a safe physical distance from others, not report to work when feeling ill, and if necessary, consult a healthcare professional.

Equally important, especially for those still wrestling with working from home and figuring out what the Fall looks like with school and work, I encourage setting aside time for self-care, in whatever form that may take. Periodically conduct personal wellness checks – both physically and emotionally. It can be very easy to “jump” from virtual meeting to virtual meeting, without ever leaving your seat or taking a needed wellness break. Seek out resources to help you maintain an efficient and healthy work from home environment. Social distancing, home schooling, caring for elderly parents, or the isolation that comes from our “new normal” can be draining. Take time for yourself and find support where you may need it.  

I try to find 30 minutes each day (I’m successful some days) to do something that takes my mind off everything and refuel my energy, so I can be my best self.  I try to join my family for lunch every day and take morning walks with our dogs. At the end of each day, my wife and I pull our three children away from their video games and decompress as a family watching our favorite films. Those little things have made a big difference for me.

I am proud to work for a company that is doing so much to fight this global pandemic. To learn more about how we’re mobilizing our resources to help find solutions for COVID-19, click here.

I hope you will share in the comments what you doing to maintain your health and emotional well-being.

We are all continually learning and adapting best practices for our specific situations, and I wish you and your families all the best during this time. Continue focusing on your safety and health – physically and mentally.