5 Ways to Survive The WFH Roller Coaster

I love a good roller coaster.  I used to be able to bounce from one to the next, literally running from coaster to coaster.  It’s not quite as easy as an adult.  Sometimes I can only take so much.  Sort of like managing work, kids, pets, school. . . oh and all from home now.  It’s not quite the 2020 most of us imagined.  Is there a way to balance it all AND stay sane?

Work from home isn’t new to all of us.  I have worked from home or remotely for 20+ years now.  Many of my family, friends and clients are still trying to navigate the WFH waters.  It’s not always easy.  Add in kids, pets, spouses, etc. and it can boil over.

Here are a few tips:

• Designate a space – We mentioned this in a previous blog and it’s worth mentioning again.  Carve out a space for work.  Avoid setting up at the kitchen or dining room table.  Setup an actual work space.  Make sure the rest of your housemates know that it is your space and agree on respecting each others’ workspaces. A desk and computer setup is key, including a comfortable desk chair.  Since a lot of us don’t have a set timetable to return to the company office, it’s worth the investment.  (I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll all be WFH this winter, even if you’re back in your office now.)
• Set boundaries – Read this one as if it were in 72 pt font, highlighted with 17 exclamation marks.  This is one of the keys to WFH sanity and balance.  It’s easy to let this one slide, but trust me, it’s one you owe yourself, your job and your family. Of course a 9 – 5 schedule isn’t exactly realistic currently.  We’ll have to be a little flexible due to all of the other factors we’re juggling (did ya ever think you’d be a teacher, caterer and school principal?). Start your day at as close to a scheduled time as you can.  End your day the same.  If you skip the boundary setting, you may as well hang out your “Open 24/7” sign.  Avoid checking and replying to emails outside your work schedule.
• Learn to say “no” – I still struggle with this one, but repeat after me, “no”.  As in “no” I can’t work on Sunday.  No we aren’t adding just that one more thing to our schedule.  Obviously if they are things you would have done in “normal” times, they of course you aren’t going to start declining.  It’s part of setting and sticking to your boundaries and can almost be even more important to know your limits and get ok with saying no.
• Get dressed – I’ve heard for 20 years, “it must be nice to work in your PJs and fuzzy slippers”.  I get dressed for work every day.  Experts agree that we all need the physical and mental transition to get in work mode.  Taking the time to get dressed in work clothes (or at least out of pajamas), enjoying your cup of coffee, take a walk in lieu of your commute – all of these things create the same mental effect that our commute would.
• Have a buddy system – Whether it’s a colleague or a friend, stay in touch with other people.  This sucks. There’s now gentle way to put it. It simply sucks.  Take of some pressure by letting it out.  It’s important to have someone that you can vent with.  Share the frustration and the good.  Ask how others are doing.  Schedule coffee talks, wine nights and gab sessions.  Even if it’s virtual, having your people connection is key.

This is a roller coaster ride. Roller coasters can be fun.  They can also give you a massive headache and even make you a little pukey from time to time.  Hang on, throw your hands up, scream at the scary parts and know – none of have ridden this one before.