Moving from the business as usual (BAU) in an office to remote work from home (WFH) environment presents many challenges.
James Clear wrote in Atomic Habits that, “you do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Our habits define our activity and productivity.
He recommends that we should “be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it.” But most of us had systems we depend on designed for us not by us. The formalization process of many organizations has taken place over years of trial and error. This embeds a certain performance expectation and accountability.
We were used to arriving at the office at a certain time. We may pick up a quick bite to eat or coffee on the way. Opening up our email on our office computer was an accomplishment. Scan new emails. Quickly reply to those that need a direct response. Check that off of the list.
But now we have to take an active role in the design of our environment and systems.
Our morning routine may include an extended workout, breakfast, or news digest. We’ve gained time because we have eliminated the commute, but that habit of driving to work signaled a change of atmosphere for us. It was a significant transition from home to work.
Working from home means you have to build a new pattern of preparation, dress, and movement to your home office. Some people do not have the luxury of a dedicated space where the noise is blocked out. Obviously, there is a myriad of tasks from making meals, to cleaning, laundry, and dishes that interfere with our flow. Dr. Richard Claydon from the McGuire Graduate School of Management in Hong Kong recommends that you reduce guilt by recognizing that you didn’t cause this situation and then structure chunks of work during the day based on your circadian rhythm.
Gender differences, chores sharing, distributing responsibilities, and incentivizing behavior all play a part in your day. Reward yourself by stacking habits together, things that you want to do, and things that you need to do. When you accomplish a goal enjoy some time off to relax. Use the same process for children in your family to help them feel good about using their time wisely and contributing to the home. Using whiteboards, corkboards, charts, graphs, and calendars may be essential to save your time from distractions and procrastination.
Interpersonal relationships are strengthened based on conversations that hinge on the time of day. Our movement throughout the physical space and certain moments in time provide triggers and cues for many social interactions. I had a group with whom I would have lunch together on Wednesday. This was something to look forward to and signaled a marker toward the end of the week. Three down, two to go. That light at the end of the tunnel feeling matters. Now we no longer get together.
While WFH we often have lunch in the same location where work happens. Maybe we share a meal with family, or we eat in front of our computer at our desk. At work, eating at your desk on a couple of days each week felt like you could get extra work done. At home, eating at your desk can feel like you are trapped. If we can eat outside on the deck or patio, we can change the environmental cues, but we also add distractions.
Managing the distinctions between the timing and locations of work and meals is important.
Water cooler conversations are a real phenomenon. In organizational communication, we define these informal grapevine chats as important sources of information sharing and relationship building. While there are disadvantages in the way that rumors and misinformation can spread, this form of communication is needed. Printers become a hub where waiting in line is an opportunity to check in a share a joke with your colleagues. Leaders who foster good relationships with subordinates increase trust and respect.
In a WFH situation, we may have many micro conversations mediated by technology as well as non-work-related conversations about daily tasks with people who not colleagues. Different family arrangements will impact the focus and clarity of your work.
Some people have children, and their age, personality, and development will change your interactions and distractions. Dr. Claydon recommends that partners and spouses should support one another by taking turns with the kids for 2.5 hours each morning. Use this as a chance to help them learn, teach them skills, and play with them.
Finding time to talk with or text message co-workers about not-work topics are also part of your day. Keeping in touch with friends and family is important. You may need to take the initiative and schedule a Zoom, Skype, or MS Teams meeting with your parents or old pals in order to keep in touch face-to-face.
Those who have been working from home for a while have a distinct advantage over traditional office workers. They have established habits and patterns of work. Many of these topics and tips above have been shared by veteran WFH individuals.
Embrace the opportunity to grow and reject the guilt and shame that comes with this transition in your life. We must think about what we are doing each and every day. Tracking your time and proactively making changes will reap long term benefits. And, using the trick of habit stacking will help us stay organized and on track.
The best time to make a new habit was yesterday; the second-best is starting today.