WFH: Guiding Principles

Yeah, I know. Another Working from Home diatribe of stuff most people already know. Hopefully not.

Like many of you, I have worked all over the world, balancing office based with remote working from home (extending to airports and planes of course). The current situation offers a unique variation on this given the isolation requirements issued by local governments, but nonetheless I thought I would have this all in hand given my varied working arrangement experience. I was wrong.

This is not like normal remote working if you have a family around you. Sure I have dealt with evening VC’s when the kids are back from school or during the holidays. But constantly being surrounded by your family, remaining focused on work while chaos abounds…...that’s not easy!

This is a learning curve for all of us, families included, so it’s going to take some time (and a lot of patience) getting used to. For me, there are some guiding principles that I have found invaluable as the new dynamic is being established with my office mates (my wife and 2 hyper 8 year old and 11 year old sons).

Principle #1: Set the Ground Rules

Easier said than done and it will take time to get right but clear articulation of needs and expectations. Kids are not dumb, they can understand if you level with them. I sat both my boys down and explained that while I am around all the time and they are off school, I still have work to do. The penny dropped when I asked them to do some home school work and then started shouting around them asking how easy it was to concentrate. We have got to the point where they know that if I am on a call/VC it's time for them to be quiet. We don't always get this right but again, the expectation is clearly explained here.

Principle #2: Manage Your Time

This is a lesson we all need to be reminded of sometimes. Everyone has a system, but what is most important is finding one that works for you. I took the Getting Things Done methodology when I first started at Linkedin and while I don't apply it to the letter, time block management is the thing that helps me ensure I dedicate the right amount of time to the right tasks.

Again at Linkedin, we learned the Rocks and Sand analogy; if you have a glass which represents time and you have to pack in as many Rocks, Pebbles and Sand as possible, you have to start with the Rocks (most important, biggest challenges, mission critical), followed by the Pebbles (those ongoing things you have to do to keep above water) and then the Sand (small activities that simply fill the gaps).

By using this analogy you can time block appropriately reserving time for the most critical activities and filling the gaps with the less critical.

Principle #3: Be Present

Surrounding the above prioritisation framework is a human element that means you have to build routine to keep sane and balanced. There are many articles on Linkedin about this so I won’t repeat this but as the advice goes; set your alarm, get dressed, start the day at the regular time, take a lunch break, build in exercise time, finish at a reasonable hour etc etc.

When you have a pattern that works for you the biggest piece of advice I can give and indeed one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was that when travelling for work, away from family it is absolutely crucial to be present. What does that mean?

To me that means that whatever I am doing, I am focused on that. If I am at my laptop, I am focused on that, not doing laundry, watching TV or talking to my family. I am focused on work. The same is true for the other side of the coin; if I am on my lunch break or after hours I am committed to being present with my family, enjoying the fact that I get to have lunch with them throughout the week, watch TV in the evenings (it's a struggle without live football!) or anything else. It's also incredibly important to take time for yourself. If I am exercising then I am focused on that, not checking emails or anything else, I am in my head, letting my mind wander and allowing myself to do so.

If you know me then you will understand that I cannot write without quoting something from Lord of the Rings (hence the image); "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”.

Gandalf (as always) was right; It is up to us how we use this time. We can be productive and present or we can let the time pass us by. By managing your time appropriately you will be fair to your employer, yourself and your family, being Present at the right time for the right moment in this strange world we currently live in.