By: Sabrina C. Spitznagle, Principal & Founder at Loop Legal Search
Chicago Legal Recruiters – Your Recruiting Connection
In addition to the extreme hand sanitizer and toilet paper shortage, one of the numerous consequences of COVID-19 is that millions of people are having to work from home – many for the first time in their lives. While working remotely may seem incredibly appealing, now that we are several weeks into this crisis, I am assuming that the novelty has worn off for many. Working from home can be very challenging and lonely – even under the best of circumstances. And these are definitely not ideal circumstances. Not only do all the typical challenges exist, you now also have to deal with kids, spouses, partners, and roommates at home; not being able to go anywhere outside your home office or have contact with others; perhaps not having a lot of space at home; not necessarily being prepared to work from home; and all the additional stress related to the current environment. It is not easy, but below are five tips to help you not only survive, but to thrive while working from home during this pandemic.
1. Create your designated and comfortable workspace.
While this won’t last forever, all signs are indicating that, if your job allows for it, you will be working from home for the foreseeable future. Thus, do your best and take the time to find and designate a separate space that is as private as possible to use for your very own home office. If you don’t have them already, it might make sense to invest in a decent desk and comfortable chair (or just a standing desk). There are a number of relatively inexpensive options available. If you are really short on space, you may need to get creative and consider a floating desk that folds down from the wall, a ladder desk, or a foldable desk that you can put away at the end of the day. You also need a good computer with a camera for video calling (which we are all doing more than ever now), reliable Wi-Fi, and cybersecurity software. Try to also make your workspace comfortable, tidy, and inviting – a plant or flowers and a few decorations really help! Finally, find a place that you will associate with your job and also can leave when you are not working.
2. Establish a routine and start your day with a positive thought.
There are so many tragic things happening right now as a result of the coronavirus that it can be hard to stay positive. Staying positive and not letting your anxiety overwhelm you is critical, however, because positivity lends itself to productivity and is key in successfully coping with a crisis. Proactively creating positive thoughts and small moments of happiness can help reduce the negative effects of stress. Thus, start each day by trying to find a silver lining in all this and enjoying a small pleasure, such as: the smell of coffee; not having to commute to work; watching a funny meme or youtube video (there are so many right now!); a mindful stretch or deep breathing; actually finding toilet paper at the store (this was the highlight of my week this week); more time with your immediate family; having the time to clean out your closet; or doing something to help someone else. It also is important to establish a routine and to more or less stick to it. Your routine might not be the same as anyone else’s and it might not be the same as it used to be. Really think about when you work the best and will be most productive, and carve out those hours as your work day (of course your schedule likely will depend a bit on when you have meetings and calls scheduled, etc., but you likely will have some flexibility to work when is most convenient for you). Make sure to include breaks, and make a list of what you plan to accomplish work-wise each day.
3. Go outside and exercise.
To the extent possible, it is imperative for your mental well-being that you go outside at least once a day – even if it is just for a walk around the block, while doing your best to not get within 6 feet of anyone else. You need a change in scenery, fresh air and light, and to move your body. Similarly, try to exercise once a day if possible – schedule that time into your day whenever works for you. I highly recommend the Peloton app – it is free for 90 days, and it has a ton of awesome classes that don’t require a Peloton bike or special equipment.
4. Communicate often and embrace Zoom.
Because working remotely can be very isolating and we are social creatures by nature, make sure that you actually talk to someone who does not live with you every day. If you can face time them, that is even better. Similarly, to ensure that the people with whom you are working (your colleagues, partners, associates, and clients) know that you are still working productively, communicate with them more often than you normally would via email, phone, and video conferencing. If you are not already proficient at using Zoom (there are some really funny what not to do on Zoom videos if you need a laugh), figure it out. Practice with friends and family and make sure you know what you are doing.
5. Give yourself a break and set reasonable expectations.
This time period is stressful enough, so cut yourself some slack, and set expectations for yourself that are reasonable and achievable. Likewise, if you don’t get everything on your list done today, don’t beat yourself up about it. There is always tomorrow (which likely will look fairly similar to today). You might not be as productive at home initially, but eventually you will be. This is a temporary (although likely longer than most had hoped for or expected) situation, and we will get through it.