Working effectively: Here, there, and everywhere

We all are looking for the right answer to what the “new workplace will look like”.??We also want to be successful. I wrote about this just a few months back.??The new work environment with be individual to each company, each leader, each location.??That said, there are some basic tenets of success we have learned over the last 30 months. To be successful, we may have to break some old habits.

Let’s rewind a bit.??Three years ago, we all had been driving into our office to spend a productive day in the office, except for a select few companies who were dabbling in telework.??Many of these companies allowed 1 or 2 days from home per week for select jobs.??Then the “RONA” hits and all bets are off.??“Pack up your desk and work from home starting next Friday”.??No rules, no training, no precedent, no historical models.

Fast forward and here we are with a new environment with companies not happy and employees not happy with the solutions on the table. How can we win? We do have some lessons learned under our belts, some innovation happening, and companies trying to understand the new balance for employees.??I will suggest some tips that have proven successful regardless of in or out of the office work teams.??From dedicated workspace, to new routines, to communicating differently – all of these paradigms need to be broken.

It all begins with ensuring you have a quality workspace dedicated to your success at work.??Having the right space, the correct equipment, the best internet connections, a comfortable workspace, and a quiet setting all help to ensure your success at work.

Establish your hours (and let your boss know those hours). Set a schedule and stick to it...most of the time. We all need some discipline, but we also need flexibility to meet the business needs. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps many of us maintain work-life balance.?Flexibility is also a two-way street.??Sometimes you need to extend your day by a few hours or start early to accommodate more work or someone else's time zone – this is our job.??We may also need to attend our daughter’s baseball game from 4-5pm – this is our life.??Both are ok.?

Create a “get started” and “end of day” routine.?A routine can be more powerful than an alarm clock at helping you get started each day. What in your morning routine indicates you're about to start work? It might be eating fresh fruit or drinking a Mt Dew before you tackle the day.???It might be returning home after a morning run or getting dressed for work (wearing Scooby-Doo pajamas is a work-from-home benefit for some, but a bad strategy for many of us.) Look for an existing habit that you already have, like watching the 6am news or coming in from a dog walk, to act as your signal. Just as you should start your day with a routine, create a habit that signals the close of the workday. It might be a sign-off on a business app, an evening dog walk, or an at-home meditation class. Something as simple as shutting down your computer and turning on a favorite podcast will do. That way, you can tack on the new habits of kicking off or ending your workday.

Set your expectations with your boss and create a running work list for yourself.??Also, discuss?the general hours you should work - establishing expectations around responding to any after-hours work e-mail and texts. Be clear that you both are focused on outcomes and not just hours.??Your work should?be tied to your goals and objectives – bigger items that you may track with milestones.??A second list is more of the day-to-day tasks to be successful in your role and successful in achieving your goals.??Lastly, the work list should also have “thinking time” or strategy time to ensure you do not get caught up in only the daily tasks.??Discuss both timelines and deliverables on a regular basis with your boss.

Ensure you have plans to handle the household.??Spouses, kids, pets, repair calls, etc.??These all can be distractions as you try to complete your work against your goals.??Set ground rules with other people in your home or who share your space when you work.??For example, you may have to negotiate quiet times, meeting times, and any shared equipment, like desks and chairs. Simply knowing that another person has a meeting at a certain time helps you prepare to work around it. You might need to get a pair of glasses from the bedroom before another person goes in there and closes the door for a meeting.

Understand when to take breaks that work within your work schedule and the schedules of others.??If you work for a highly disciplined organization, know the policy on break times and take them. If you're in a bit more flexible environment, give yourself adequate time during the day to walk away from the computer screen or your phone – just remember to not take advantage here. Often it is easier to let others know when you step away. For computer-based work and other sedentary work, it's important to stand up and move to get your blood circulating every so often.??It also helps to move your eyes off screen regularly, even if it's a micro-break of 10–30 seconds.

Be organized and flexible in your meetings and your hours.??Your peers need to have expectations of when they can reach you, but also note that projects or personal issues may change your schedule.??You may also rethink meetings times and length of meetings to better adapt to our new environment – maybe smaller and more frequent “huddles” work better.

If you're employed by a company or organization that supports your work-from-home setup, request the equipment you need as soon as you start working from home, or within a few days of realizing you need something new.?It's extremely important to set a precedent early that you will ask for what you need to get your job done comfortably – like software, monitors, a new mouse, printers, etc.??

In an ideal world, remote employees would have not only a dedicated office, but also two computers, one for work and one for personal use. But not everyone has a spare room to use as an office in their home and keeping two machines isn't always realistic. Instead, dedicate a desk or table space and some peripherals that will be used only for work.??Making even small points of differentiation between workspace and personal space helps your brain know when you're off the clock, and that contributes to better work-life balance.

Working remotely can have its?pros and cons.??As much as we love working at our own pace, a poor internet connection can get frustrating. Good?internet service?is the ultimate tool for remote workers. A poor Wi-Fi connection can break the momentum and disrupt a productive meeting.??Invest in the right service level.

Loneliness, disconnect, and isolation are common problems in remote work life, especially for extroverts.??How much interpersonal interaction do you need to feel connected and included at work? The answer is not the same for everyone. Even if you're introverted and don't like socializing, give a few interactive experiences a try, whether it's an online social hour or the young professionals club, so that you're familiar with them if you ever decide you want them. If your workplace doesn't have a strong remote culture, you may need to be more proactive about building your relationships.

One of the most important success tips is to “show up” to meetings and add value. Certainly, you'll take part in your own team’s functional video conference calls while working remotely. It's also a good idea to attend optional meetings from time to time as well - to be seen. Be sure to speak up during meetings so everyone knows you're on the call – listen and interact. A simple, "I have been listening to this discussion and I would like to add my thoughts…” goes a long way toward making your presence known.

Even though you are working remotely, it is still important to get regular face time. If your employer is lax about getting you in a room with other employees, ask to have monthly or semi-annual team meetings with a robust agenda taking advantage of everyone attending. It could be for planning, training, or innovation – or some other business event, such as a yearly fiscal meeting, team building, or office dunk booth. Don't wait around for someone to invite you to the office or an event. Be proactive. Make the ask.

Working remotely requires that everyone over communicate.?Often. Tell everyone who needs to know about your schedule and availability often. Don't assume they'll remember. When you finish a project or important task, say so. Over communicating doesn't necessarily mean you have to write a multi-paragraph essay to explain your every move, but it does mean repeating yourself.??In the office, people could see what you were working on.??Now you need to tell them.??Also set up a video call with your colleagues or manager once a week to check in. Don't be afraid to let check-in meetings be as short as they need to be. Sometimes a five-minute conversation is all it takes to stay connected. Ensure you are disciplined on communicating about your work and your results.??And … joke about how you must have mentioned your upcoming vacation four times already, then mention it again.

Understanding “the tone” in written messages is difficult in all-remote settings. The less face time you have with people, the more an intentionally concise message can come off as terse and short-tempered.??We have lost the benefit of the doubt we gain when we have long standing, close relationships.??In remote work settings, everyone must be positive, to the point where it may feel like you're being overly positive.??Otherwise, you risk sounding like a jerk. It's unfortunate, but true. So,?add a few extra lines and niceties.??Be kind.

Above all else, figure out what works best for you and your boss. Sometimes the answer is apparent, but other times you might need some inspiration from other peers who are in the same boat. Consider, too, that you might need to change it up occasionally, before it gets too... routine.

Together.??We.??Win.