It's Okay to Not Pretend

If the allure of working from home sweet home has started to sour and you’re finding it increasingly hard to stay energized amid unfamiliar isolation, you may need a little help to stay inspired. Whether you are new to WFH (working from home) or a seasoned pro, here are a few sure-fire tips to refocus your mind and recharge your drive:

• Create a calm, clutter-free workspace: Designate an area that is removed from the chatter and clatter of other household members. If your WFH stint is more than short-lived, rearrange your space. Repurposing may entail replacing family photos with work-related items such as Post-it Notes and pencil holders. It may mandate moving distractions like the fidget spinner which begs to be spun and the stack of mail which screams to be read. Within your workspace, post key numbers like the IT Helpline in case the system crashes and, above all, silence your cell phone.                                                                                                                            
• Clear your mind: Having prepped your physical space, attend to your mental readiness. Before settling into your seat, free your mind of mental debris. Perform standing stretches or enjoy a five-minute meditation break to quell personal concerns competing for your attention. (See the recent Tackling Stress article for more ideas on clearing your mind.) Ease your mind into work mode by connecting with a coworker who may or may not be on your particular project or team.  Open with personal banter. Then seamlessly slide into a business. Discuss issues pertaining to your company as a whole, then, if applicable, to your specific project.                                                                                                                               
• Consider the benefits of your work: Ask yourself, “Why am I expending precious energy on this task?” Remind yourself that this work may be allowing you to sharpen your technical skills, serve your customers, or channel your creativity, all while demonstrating your ability to manage your workload without direct oversight. If you are still not inspired to tackle the tasks awaiting you, reflect on the consequences of eschewing assignments. Unwanted consequences such as a missed promotion or a disgruntled peer may override your procrastination and spur you into action.                                                                                                                            
• Plan and Prioritize: Planning and prioritizing your tasks allows you to assess your overall load and focus your mind on the day’s duties before you dive in. Grouping related items tames your to-dos. Once you’ve penned, prioritized, and organized, determine your plan of attack. While some time-management experts suggest doing the worst first, others advise addressing quick and easy items first. Either way, you’ll transform your daunting task list into one that is doable.                                                                                              
• Start: Just start. Don’t wait to be divinely inspired. At this point, you are looking for progress, not perfection. Begin by prepping. For example, pull up the stats and screens or gather the phone numbers required for your assignment. Then, complete one task. Perhaps you start scanning the stats or you make your first phone call. From there, keep it moving!

If reading and writing tasks cramp your brain, begin in the middle or at the end. For instance, read the summary first, then dive into the details. Or, write the body of your proposal first and then revisit the intro. Next thing you know, you are on a roll!

During these times of social distancing and lifestyle limitations, your motivation may falter, and you may need a gentle boost. To discover how you can reignite your interests and refocus your mind, check out our newly added course Minimizing Stress: Easy Steps for Stress Management in the Ease & Flow Leadership Academy. It offers practical tips and tools for maximizing positive stress while minimizing negative stress. 

You're worth it.

Sending you tons of good vibes energy.

Be well.

Sophia