Is this your second week home working, or third? If like me you're not used to being cooped up at home, you will have found it challenging - I certainly have. At first, I thought I would enjoy it, being able to transfer my coaching conversations to Zoom, and having more time to do all the projects I've been putting to one side - like re-designing our website; but checking in news announcements morning, lunch and late afternoon leaves me anxious and concerned.

This week, I have stricter intentions to keep to disciplines and ways of working that are more in line with my corporate background and whilst working inside much larger teams. We often need others to draw out the better side of our nature, and in this instance of global emergency it is certainly so. For my clients and those working in larger team, here are some guidelines to achieve better results whilst remote working.

* When you're at home, create a good environment for yourself to work in - whether it's a desk in your living room, the dining table, or your laptop in your designated 'office' make sure you can be comfortable. Don't work on your laptop whilst sitting in a chair - you will not think so well after a time and may damage your back.

* Ensure you have all the tools you need to do your work properly, computer, telephone, access to tools, resources and materials etc.

* Be disciplined about the time you're going to sit down to work. The temptation can sometimes be to sleep late, get up and work in your dressing gown and other bad habits that you may have developed when you've worked from home when ill or at the weekends. If you're going to establish habits that will need to sustain over months, ensure you get up early, dress, breakfast and be at your desk at the same time as your normal work time.

* Be disciplined about taking breaks - drinks, lunch and ensure that you have people that you will call in your breaks. Don't use your breaks to watch TV or review social media to catch up on Covid-19 news. Whether you're aware of it or not, we rely on other people to provide us stimulation and social interaction, so make these real people that you know and respect. These social activities are a requirement for health and well-being, so increase the number of people you can call on for a quick chat, not just on work topics. They need social interaction as much as you do.

* Agree with a number of people as to who will call you and when. People who work for you, especially need the connection to be able to talk with you to clarify work matters, as well as for you to check in as to their mental and physical welfare. They can also be part of the group of people you are going to rely upon to give you the human stimulation that remote working is going to deprive you.

* If you're working for a senior boss, ensure that you have a regular agreed date and time (preferably weekly) when you're going to discuss your work, your team and delivery dates for the tasks for which you're accountable. Don't rely on email and written communications to stay in touch. Use Skype or Zoom to make your calls face to face.

* Take time outside - whether it's going for a run, a walk or some exercise - you need to stay physically and mentally fit. Eat well and make sure you take time to rest and engage in activities other than work. If you're also taking care of children during this time, include them into your day and in getting them outside too.

Of course, every person's role may require different things with regard to their team, reporting in to their boss or delivering their work, so obviously pay attention to those things first. 

Enjoy the time! You may find that you are far more creative and engaged than in the office!


Penny Sophocleous

Email me if you'd like more personal support: penny@ corpalc.com or joine me at one of my Virtual Coffees sessions.